I came to AR as a science and math teacher after falling in love with teaching, hands-on learning and experiential education. My dedication to science began at a young age, as shown by my obsession with the science fair growing up. After graduating from Arcata High School, I moved to Portland, Oregon to complete a degree in Biology at Reed College. Highlights included my study abroad in Costa Rica with the Organization of Tropical Studies and my thesis on invasive species distribution across Oregon.

My love of the natural world has led me to work as a science teacher as well as outdoor science educator and expedition leader around the world. I’ve led trips in both Spanish and English in Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Galapagos Islands and worked with giant tortoises, sea turtles, and tropical tree frogs. I have also guided remote, backcountry trips in Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington and Alaska and continue to lead backpacking courses each summer.

When I'm not teaching, I enjoy snowboarding, surfing, live music, identifying plants around my house, baking pies and other food-based science experiments.