I earned my Master’s degree in Plant Molecular Biology before discovering my passion for education. My graduate studies provided specialized scientific knowledge and instilled in me the habits of a lifelong learner—skills I now bring to my teaching journey. My professional career began in biological research before leading me to the travel industry, where I developed expertise in organization, communication, and adaptability. These diverse experiences ultimately guided me toward pursuing teaching as a second career through the BEd program at Laurier.

At home, I share my life with my partner and our 13-year-old. Our family is complete with a dog and cat who bring joy and energy to our household. When I’m not studying or preparing for teaching placements, I enjoy losing myself in a good book from my extensive collection. I find peace and satisfaction in gardening, tending to both flowers and vegetables throughout the growing season.

As an active Girl Guide Leader for over 10 years, I’ve worked with children between the ages of 5 and 15 in a hands-on, outdoor-focused, and inclusive environment. Through Guiding, I extend children’s learning beyond the classroom through experiences not typically available in school settings—overnight camping trips, day excursions outside their community, and extended hands-on activities that aren’t feasible within school time constraints. These extracurricular experiences allow me to create meaningful learning opportunities while developing children’s confidence, practical skills, and appreciation for the outdoors. In recognition of this commitment, I received a 2024 Ontario Government Volunteer Service Award for my years of service in Girl Guides.

I’m a strong advocate for developing leadership skills and empowering marginalized children. I have a deep commitment to showing youth who identify as female or non-binary that they can excel in any field they choose. I deliberately incorporate STEM activities into my Guide programming and introduce skills traditionally gatekept from certain groups, such as basic carpentry, car maintenance, electrical work, and other trades. Through these experiences, I challenge stereotypes while building confidence and practical competencies that serve children well throughout their childhood and into adulthood.