I was born and raised in the land of cheese, bratwurst, and the Green Bay Packers. I have been working with formal and non-formal educators for sixteen years, in programs from Maine to California. I have been a state licensed teacher in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Nevada. I am an innovative educator and leader with experience in environmental education, charter school leadership, school design/improvement, work-based learning, differentiated instruction, and personalized learning.
As Vice President of Education at Sierra Nevada Journeys, I was charged with transforming an outdoor science camp into a whole-school model focusing on STEM education. We developed over 50 community partnerships in the Reno/Tahoe area to ensure a community-based approach to STEM education. These partnerships helped create new ideas, financial support, and guardrails for program integrity. We created deep partnerships with the Washoe County School District to develop and lead a STEM education model that supported students along their entire K-12 journey.
As the director of an environmental middle/high charter school in Northern Minnesota, I was responsible for the academics, finances, and operations of the school. Along with being an instructional leader. I understood the importance of creating and maintaining an important relationship with all stakeholders. Under my leadership, a school turn-around model focused on personalized learning and expectations that ALL students can and will learn was established. I feel it is important to create schools specific academic, and behavioral goals that align with the families and students the school serves.
I have worked with 100’s of leaders and schools across the country. While leading with humility and a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to serve all stakeholders, I am able to motivate and energize diverse groups of people. I have experience designing and implementing student apprenticeships, workplace simulations, student-led enterprises and other opportunities in businesses, non-profit, and community organizations. I currently work with schools and districts around leadership, governance, school design and building positive learning environments.
I have specific experience running education programs with populations K-College and have been providing teacher professional development since 2004. I has extensive experience working with students who are considered “At-Risk” in both a wilderness and classroom setting. Working in education is my life-long journey, but you may also find me sea kayaking, hiking with my family, or watching Milwaukee Brewers baseball.
