What made you decide to join the Crew at Alma?
I decided to join the crew at Alma because of the accountability of the staff and the scholars. I want to be part of a community with high expectations and supports in place that help us all reach our full potential.
What do you hope to contribute to Alma?
I hope to bring enthusiasm for math and learning. Math can be scary for some people and I want to help ease those fears and embrace the possibility that we are all math people! I aim to equip our scholars with the confidence to solve any problem that comes their way!
What teacher made a difference in your life, and how?
My seventh grade Language Arts teacher held me accountable. She didn't see me as just the little sister of a straight A student. She saw that I had great potential, but that I needed feedback to improve upon the work that I was turning in. She took the time to give me honest feedback. Mrs. Jakobczyk saw me, and she helped me to be the best version of myself.
Why did you become involved in education?
I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. But it was chance that I ended up working in charter schools for almost my entire career, and it was chance that I ended up teaching math more than anything. Now, it is by choice that I begin my journey at Alma, as a math specialist, and I could not be more excited. After years of learning more about how children learn math, math anxiety, and ways that we can build students up and help them work through their math struggles, it has become a passion of mine that I just can't resist!
Where did you go to college or post-secondary school and what did you like about it?
California State University, Northridge. I loved being involved in campus activities and getting to take such interesting classes.
What is your favorite food?
Ghirardelli 72% Dark Chocolate
What is your favorite book?
I can't pick just one, so a few books I love are: Because of Winn-Dixie, Saturday, Just Ask!, The Dot, The Four Agreements, Educated, and Solito.