What's Next?
I began my journey in education at the University of Delaware and was fortunate to become a student teacher at McCullough Elementary before being hired as a 4th grade teacher. I bounced around as a teacher in the district over the next 4 years teaching in 3 different schools and 3 different grades in Colonial. During those 4 years, I earned my masters from Wilmington University, took risks and was hired to lead several after-school and summer programs. I was encouraged to take a leap and become an administrator. Somehow, I was hired as an Assistant Principal at McCullough Elementary (yup...where I began in Colonial). You want to talk full-circle and challenges...give me a call. I was faced with the daunting task of not only working with teachers that had more years of classroom experience than I had years alive, but it was with a group that I worked with as a student teacher only 5 years previously. Fortunately, they were like family and allowed me to learn and grow as an administrator and I am eternally grateful for their patience with me.
After two years of learning as an AP, I was promoted to Principal at McCullough. As a young (BTW-waaay too young!) administrator, I was blessed to be surrounded by an amazing group of educators (with a LOT more experience than myself) who allowed me to learn and grow and make mistakes and apologize and develop as a school leader. I choke up thinking about their patience in reflection today. McCullough was then converted into a middle school and I was transferred to Pleasantville Elementary. Again, I was lucky to have a terrific and energetic staff and over the next four years, we continued to build upon the foundation of the school. We took many risks as a staff and reaped many rewards (through the success of our students). In June 2011, I moved to Colwyck Elementary and was excited to take on the challenge of a new school or at least new to me. Again, I was surrounded by an incredible group of dedicated educators and in only 1 year we were able to have a positive impact on student achievement and culture. In reflection, I'm not sure how much each of the learning communities realized how much they meant to me and how much I miss each of them.
My journey then took me to our district office as Director of Elementary Schools where I currently still serve. This was a bold move that challenged me in many ways. People ask me, "What do you do?" My new answer is "I focus on leadership development, support, and evaluation in our district." This role has afforded me the opportunity to help provide schools and school leaders with the support to do the things that are most impactful on student learning. Although I miss being in a building...there is no better job in education than being a principal...I love the opportunity to help 'design the ship' and impact so many students, educators and the community! I'm excited to have earned my doctorate from Nova Southeastern University with my dissertation on how teachers are using technology to differentiate instruction.
I am humbled by the amazing group of educators that I have worked with throughout my career. I look forward to sharing my journey and experiences here and look forward to your collaboration. Thanks for pushing me to be the best I can be...I am who I am because of you! As you read, you will notice so many changes over the past almost 2 decades...5 schools, 9 different positions...change is the constant! Thus, I look at my future in education with the optimistic question of
'What's Next?'
After two years of learning as an AP, I was promoted to Principal at McCullough. As a young (BTW-waaay too young!) administrator, I was blessed to be surrounded by an amazing group of educators (with a LOT more experience than myself) who allowed me to learn and grow and make mistakes and apologize and develop as a school leader. I choke up thinking about their patience in reflection today. McCullough was then converted into a middle school and I was transferred to Pleasantville Elementary. Again, I was lucky to have a terrific and energetic staff and over the next four years, we continued to build upon the foundation of the school. We took many risks as a staff and reaped many rewards (through the success of our students). In June 2011, I moved to Colwyck Elementary and was excited to take on the challenge of a new school or at least new to me. Again, I was surrounded by an incredible group of dedicated educators and in only 1 year we were able to have a positive impact on student achievement and culture. In reflection, I'm not sure how much each of the learning communities realized how much they meant to me and how much I miss each of them.
My journey then took me to our district office as Director of Elementary Schools where I currently still serve. This was a bold move that challenged me in many ways. People ask me, "What do you do?" My new answer is "I focus on leadership development, support, and evaluation in our district." This role has afforded me the opportunity to help provide schools and school leaders with the support to do the things that are most impactful on student learning. Although I miss being in a building...there is no better job in education than being a principal...I love the opportunity to help 'design the ship' and impact so many students, educators and the community! I'm excited to have earned my doctorate from Nova Southeastern University with my dissertation on how teachers are using technology to differentiate instruction.
I am humbled by the amazing group of educators that I have worked with throughout my career. I look forward to sharing my journey and experiences here and look forward to your collaboration. Thanks for pushing me to be the best I can be...I am who I am because of you! As you read, you will notice so many changes over the past almost 2 decades...5 schools, 9 different positions...change is the constant! Thus, I look at my future in education with the optimistic question of
'What's Next?'