Mission

 

To improve educational outcomes for teachers and students by building a sense of belonging, supporting individual passions, and meeting the needs of every learner in culturally supportive learning environments.

 

Education

 

 

Ed.D.   Leadership for Educational Equity                                                         2017

            Early Childhood/Special Ed

            University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO

 

M.A.    Early Childhood Educational Leadership                                               2013

           Research & Policy

           University of Denver, Denver, CO

 

B.A.     Psychology                                                                                               1984

           Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA

 

Licensure

 

Colorado Department of Education                                            Expires: June, 2023

Professional Teacher License: #110440

• Elementary K-6

• Early Childhood Education 0-8

• Secondary English 7-12

• Culturally Diverse Learners K-12

• Special Education Generalist 0-21

• Gifted and Talented Education K-12

• Technology Integration K-12     

 

Colorado Department of Human Services                            Expires: October, 2019

Early Childhood Professional Certification: #3052

• Level V

 

Research Interests

  

• Culturally Responsive Teaching  

• Trauma Informed Teaching

 

Early Learning

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Assistant Professor

Metropolitan State University

Early Childhood Education & Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education                             (2017-preaent)

ECE 3350 “Observation, Documentation, Assessment and Decision Making for Early Childhood”

ECE 2100 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 2950 The Intentional Teacher Practicum

ECE 4310 Working with Families and Communities

ECE 2330 Creativity and Expressive Arts and the Young Child

ECE 3140 Math and Science 0-5

ECE 4340 Math and Science k-3

ECE 3750 Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education and the Young Child

CLD 3510 Perspectives in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education

​

Adjunct Faculty

Metropolitan State University – Early Childhood Education                                                              (2014 - 2017)

ECE 3350 “Observation, Documentation, Assessment and Decision Making for Early Childhood”

 

Primary Teacher

Renaissance ELOB Magnet School, Castle Rock, CO                                                               (1995 - 2004)

Kindergarten, K/1st, K/1st/2nd, 1st/2nd, 2nd/3rd, multi-age K-6

 

Professional Development Coordinator

Renaissance Montessori Academy, Parker, CO                                                                        (1997 - 2014)

Professional Development Trainer: Literacy, Science, Kindergarten program development, Assessment, Cultural Literacy, Professionalism, Trends in Education, Environmental Education

 

Preschool Teacher

Parker Montessori Educational Institute, Parker, CO                                                                 (1993 - 1994)

Master Montessori Pre-Primary Teacher

 

Preschool Teacher

Westmont Montessori School, Mendham, NJ                                                                            (1984 - 1993)

Pre-School Teacher / Music Teacher

 

HONORS

​

Faculty Senate Teaching Excellence Award Finalist                                                                                        (2020)

MSU Denver SOAR award for leadership                                                                                                        (2020)

Colorado Academic Standards Revision ScienceTeam     

• Revised P-2 Science Standards                                                                                                         (2018-2019)   

U.S. Dept. of Education OSEP grant for ECE Special Ed Leadership Specialist program                       (2014 – 2017)

Winifred R. Reynolds Scholarship for Early Childhood Educators                                                                    (2014)

P-3 Professional Development Advisory work group for the Lt. Governor’s Early Childhood Council

• Created Colorado Early Childhood Educator and Administrator Competencies                                            (2012)

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

Excellence in Online Teaching Certification - ACUE                                                                                          (2021)

Keys to Beginning Reading Certification - Colorado Department of Education                                                 (2021)

CLASS preschool observation certification - Teachstone                                                                                   (2020)

Relationship Based Professional Development Coaching - Colorado Department of Education                       (2015)

Pyramid Plus Approach Certification - Denver Early Childhood Council                                                           (2015)

Instructional Coaching for Leaders – Expeditionary Learning                                                                          (2014)

Buell Early Childhood Leadership Fellow – Certification                                                                                  (2012)

Colorado Large Child Care Center Director Qualification                                                               (2002, 2010, 2012)

Expanding Quality in Infant-Toddler Care                                                                                                      (2010)

AMS Montessori Preprimary Credential, CMTE New York                                                                              (1986)

 

 

Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

English Language Development Teacher Leader

Sixth Avenue Elementary School, Aurora, CO                                                                      (2014 – present)

Title I, 84.1% Free or Reduced Lunch, 53.8% English Language Learners with 31 different home languages

 

Founding Member

VOICEs Diversity Council for the Division for Early Childhood                                               (2014 – present)

 

Founding Vice President

Black Child Development Institute – Denver Affiliate Chapter                                                    (2014 – 2015)

 

Co-Author

Denver Urban Spectrum, Denver, CO                                                                                       (2013 - 2015)

Monthly parenting advice column called “The Nest Matters”

 

Founding Director of Curriculum & Instruction / English Language Development Coordinator/ Teacher

Academy 360, Denver, CO                                                                                                      (2013 - 2014)

Title I, 78.8% Free or Reduced Lunch, 24.4% English Language Learners

 

Teacher / Teacher Leader – Gifted Ed, Math, Science, Content Integration

Yale Elementary School, Aurora, CO                                                                                       (2003 - 2013)

 

HONORS

 

Buell Leadership Network Research Grant - to found NBCDI Affiliate in Denver                                                (2014)

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

Early Childhood Leadership Equity Certification - CU Denver                                                                            (2020)

Denver Public Schools English Language Development Charter Track Teacher Trainer                                    (2013)

English Language Development Certification, CU Denver                                                                               (2007)

Equity Institute for Teachers, Aurora Public Schools                                                                                     (2006)

Deaf Culture Summit, Expeditionary Learning                                                                                               (2003)

Urban Expedition, NYC Outward Bound                                                                                                        (2001)

 

 

Arts & Science Integration

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Environmental Education Facilitator

Project Learning Tree, Colorado Forestry Service                                                                 (2008 – Present)

Project WILD, Colorado Division of Wildlife                                                                              (2008 – 2013)

Project WET, Great Western Institute                                                                                       (2008- 2009)

 

Expressive Arts Teacher

Drum Circle Facilitator/Teacher Trainer, Rhythm Vision, Denver, CO                                          (2003 - 2013)

Butterfly Hope Summer Enrichment, Cheltenham Elementary, Denver, CO                                 (2005 - 2010)

 

Creative Drama Teacher

Stage One, Denver, CO                                                                                                          (1994 - 1997)

The Growing Stage, Chester, NJ                                                                                             (1989 – 1992)

 

Creative Arts & Journalism Teacher

Wiley House Teen Residential Treatment Facility, Allentown, PA                                               (1986 - 1987)

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

Aesthetics Education Institute, Think 360 Arts & University of Denver                                                            (2012)

Facilitator / Trainer Certification for Project WET, Project WILD and Project Learning Tree                               (2008)

Science Institute, Public Education & Business Coalition                                                                              (2008)

Project Approach Certification, Sylvia Chard/Lillian Katz                                                                                (2003)

 

 

Teacher Educator

 

District Professional Development Provider

 

Aurora Public Schools, Aurora CO                                                                                      

Literacy in Kindergarten New Teacher Induction Program                                                (2015 – 2016)

Developmental Science for Kindergarten & Preschool New Teachers University                          (2015)

Science Resources for Environmental Education                                                                      (2009)

Kindergarten Transition Class                                                                                                  (2007)

Science & Literacy Integration/Grades K, 1, 2                                                                           (2007)

Math Curriculum for New Teachers                                                                                 (2005, 2006)

 

Douglas County Schools, Douglas County CO                                                           

Math is the Path                                                                                                                     (2003)

 

Professional Educator Development Presenter                                                                           (1995 - Present)

 

Council for Exceptional Children, Colorado, Courage to Risk Conference

Culturally Responsive Teaching for Inclusion                                                                            (2016)

 

Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Regional Conference

Project Learning Tree Science for ECE & Kindergarten Teachers                                               (2015)

 

Expeditionary Learning National Conference                                                                                       (2013)

Master session presenting original K, 1st, 2nd grade Common Core Math Task Assessments

 

Colorado Association of Science Teachers                                                           

Early Childhood Science Notebooking with Project Learning Tree                                               (2014)

Science of Sound & Rhythm                                                                                                   (2009)

 

Early Childhood Christian Director’s Association Conference

Differentiating for the Needs of Every Child                                                                               (2012)

Assessing children at Play                                                                                                      (2012)

 

Shepherd of the Hills Christian Preschool

Differentiation of Instruction                                                                                                     (2012)

                

Colorado Association of Environmental Education – Teaching Outside the Box conference

Drumming in Nature                                                                                                                (2010)

Drum Circles and The Environment                                                                                          (2009)

 

Colorado Kaleidoscope Conference for Special Educators

Therapeutic Drum Circles                                                                                                (2005-2009)

 

Colorado Conference for the Social Studies

Cultural Studies of Iran with Drum Circles                                                                                (2009)

Cultural Studies of West Africa with Drum Circles                                                                     (2008)

 

Colorado Music Educators Conference

Drum Circle Facilitation                                                                                                           (2009)

 

Colorado Kindergarten Teacher Conference

Using Self-Assessment with Young Children                                                                             (1998)

 

 

Performer

 

Rock Band Lead Singer, Rhythm Guitar, Ukulele, Percussion                                                  

            Stranj Neyburz, Castle Rock, CO                                                                                      (2003 – present)

            Idyl Hanz, Elizabeth, CO                                                                                                  (2007 – present)

 

                        Band bookings contact available upon request

 

Community Theater Actor                                                                                                         

          Front Range Theater Group, Castle Rock, CO                                                                          (2004 – 2007)

The Growing Stage Theater for Young Audiences, Chester, NJ                                                  (1986 – 1991)

 

                        Theatrical resume available upon request