I graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington, where I majored in physics, minored in biology, and worked as a research assistant with the Biophysics and Physiology Group. Later, I worked with a software startup but quickly realized that a cubicle wasn't for me. I found my way into education and have not looked back!
As an educator, I spent 3 years teaching physics and engineering at Cleburne High School, my alma mater. I then taught at North Crowley High School in Crowley, TX, for 3 years. There, I also served as the Science Department Chair from 2018 to 2020. Currently, I work at the University of Texas at Austin with the OnRamps program as a Physics Implementation Manager, where we manage one of the largest physics implementations in the state. Within our dual-enrollment course alone, we serve approximately 200 teachers and 6500 students across the state of Texas.
As an educator and leader, I am motivated by these three standards:
Children deserve a quality education.
Education is key to improving a person's and their family's quality of life. Regardless of career, trade, or lifestyle.
Every child can achieve mastery.
My work and teaching philosophy is one that focuses on equity and accountability:
"Every child deserves a quality education. As parents, educating our children should come second only to their safety. It is our responsibility, as professional educators, to provide children with the classroom environment and cognitive tools needed to be successful as lifelong learners. If our students fail it is not as a result of factors out of our control. We are the only variable for which we have any direct control. It is by owning this fact, embracing accountability, and maintaining a sense of service that we can begin to improve on the status quo."
My current research interests include,
factors that affect low SES student success in college level coursework.
systemic issues that affect teacher recruitment.
applications of biophysics and other interdisciplinary sciences in science curriculum.
the role that culture plays in STEM pedagogy.