Welcome to my webpage! I am thrilled to be part of Crocker’s Kindergarten team! In German, “Kindergarten” literally means “children’s garden,” and this is how I envision my classroom. My classroom is built on developmentally appropriate and play-based learning rooted in Montessori theory. I specialize in differentiation, teaching to the individual child based on strengths and needs. Students should love acquiring knowledge and skills through purposeful yet pleasurable hands-on activities. My passion is planting these seeds and cultivating them. About me: I grew up outside Chicago and headed west at the age of 19 with only a fully packed car and two cats. I double majored at UC Berkeley, earning my B.A. in African American Studies and English. I then went on to Holy Names University, where I completed my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Masters Degree in Urban Education. In 2008, I began my work as a substitute teacher in Oakland and soon found fervor in teaching kindergarten. My career began in East Oakland where I taught a straight kindergarten for two years, Transitional Kindergarten for three years, and a Kindergarten/Transitional Kindergarten combination class for two years. When I’m not laminating or searching Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers, I enjoy traveling (Cabo, NYC, and the desert are my favorites), yoga, running, long walks in the rain, binge reading, watching Netflix or classic black and whites, collecting succulents, cooking up Blue Apron recipes, and taking my dog on new adventures exploring the amazing scenery from California coast to mountains.
