A New Englander at heart, I was raised in Hampton, New Hampshire. Attended the University of Virginia including a study abroad program to Perth, Western Australia. Graduated with a degree in Physics (1996) and began teaching at James River High School in Midlothian, VA (1996-present). Earned a Master's in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University (2000).
Created the 11th grade Ethics course for the JRHS Center for Leadership and International Relations. I work as a Master Teacher for the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) online course and summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center. In 2009, I became a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) and I have been recognized by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).
I currently serve as the president of the Virginia Instructors of Physics (VIP), a statewide network of physics teachers dedicated to supporting each other and improving the art and craft of learning physics.
I have been a TEDx organizer since 2011 helping my students build their own TEDx event, TEDxYouth@JamesRiverRoad. I attended the TEDxSummit in Doha, Qatar in 2012 and most recently was part of the planning committee for TEDxRVA, Richmond's first citywide TEDx event.

My ongoing passion is continuing to develop the Center for Leadership and International Relations into something that will change the world through the heroic imagination of our students. With allies like TED and the TEDx movement, we hope to connect with youth all over the world and forge ties that will make a difference in the world.