Acerca de mi (About Me)

I was born in sunny Southern California and spent my early years there before moving to Boise, Idaho. My interest in Spanish began in middle school and eventually led me to Western Washington University, where I earned a BA in Spanish, a P12 teaching certificate, and certifications in Bilingual Education and TESOL. I also studied Spanish Language and Literature at the Universidad de Cádiz in Spain. Later I completed an MEd in Mindfulness for Educators in 2020 and in 2022 earned certifications in Integrative Life Coaching and Meditation and Mindfulness Teaching.

My teaching journey began at Wellspring Community School in Bellingham, Washington. Since then I have taught Spanish at every level from elementary through AP in Whatcom County, Bellevue, the San Juan Islands, Snoqualmie/North Bend, and Tucson, AZ. For seven years at Spring Street International School I taught Spanish I through AP Spanish Language and Culture and led immersive excursions with students through Spain, Morocco, Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, Belize, and along the Camino Portugués in Portugal and Spain. I now teach middle school in Bend, Oregon at an IB school and lead annual student expeditions to Costa Rica. This year marks my 18th year in education!

Travel is one of my great passions. I have visited 28 countries including other Spanish-speaking ones like Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and I love sharing Spanish language and culture with learners of all ages. Outside the classroom I enjoy paddle boarding, biking, skiing, backpacking, and swimming in the sea in my "seal suit." I also love spending time with our sweet pups Booker, who is bilingual, and Summit. I am grateful to be part of the Bend community and look forward to deepening those connections.