About

I am an educator who has supported K-12 schools and universities in Los Angeles and Orange County as an assistant principal, adjunct professor, department chair, and teacher. I hold a Ph.D. in Education, Master’s in Educational Technology, and a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences. My dissertation was a transcendental phenomenal study on the barriers in motivation for students to pursue a STEM career from students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This dissertation was dedicated to my passion to ensure that all students not only have access to a rich and high-quality educational experience, but also access to programs that support their careers and passions.

Increasing Access to STEM education: I introduced two new CTE: Engineering and Biomedical Science courses while teaching in Los Angeles. These courses completed the career education pathway goal of four classes and allowed students to engage in project-based education courses throughout all four years of high school. Within the Anaheim Union High School District, I proposed and wrote the first virtual Human Anatomy and Physiology course at Cambridge Virtual Academy that met the A-G and UC requirements. Students across eight high schools in the district have access to the course and science courses expanded to all students. The course has been at capacity since it was initially offered in 2023.

Instructional Leadership: During the 2020 shift to digital instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, I led professional development for the whole site staff on synchronous and asynchronous instructional modalities. Additionally, I led staff through best practices using digital tools, such as Nearpod, Peardeck, Flipgrid, Padlet, Jamboard, and more. My professional development ensured that teachers were able to utilize current digital tools to plan instruction, assess students through formative and summative assessments, and integrate accommodations and scaffolds in a digital learning environment to support all learners.

During my tenure as a science department chair at Magnolia High School, I supported a team of 14 teachers and student teachers and moved the needle towards equity and justice by collaborating with district and site partners (Magnolia Agriscience Community Center and UC Irvine) to redesign curriculum in LIving Earth, Chemistry, and Physics. This redesign led to curriculum changes that allowed students to experience science through the lens of their identity, systems of power, and allowed students to engage in civic action projects to improve their direct communities. In collaboration with UC Irvine, Irvine Unified School District, and Anaheim Union High School District, I published the paper Individual Awareness to System Action: Expanding Students’ Project with Civic Action Matrix in 2024 that has powerful implications for both student reflection on their impact and educators pedagogical approach for lesson design.

I continue to support teachers in curriculum design, project-based learning, culturally responsive teaching practices, educational technology, and more in alignment with the California Standards for the Teaching Profession.

Community and Student Engagement: As an educator, I served within the community schools site leadership team and worked in collaboration with the community, classified, certificated, and management staff to conduct needs analysis, generate findings, and implement positive changes. In this collaborative team and with the foundation of the California Community Schools Framework, changes were implemented at the school site level that led to a more positive school culture and increased educational outcomes.

As a school site administrator, I oversee areas related to student services and community. My supports areas include, but are not limited to, attendance, community partners, health office, library/media center, multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS)/restorative practices, plurilingual students, testing, textbooks and technology, and the Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE). In my first year at Cypress High School, I led a team that implemented a PBIS/MTSS support matrix that supported a more positive school environment that involved support staff, teachers, counselors, psychologists, social workers, students, and the community. I founded and led the Green Team at Cypress High School, consisting of a growing team of four teachers, two students, administrators, classified staff, and community partners that secured the 2026 California Green Ribbon Schools Gold Level designation.

I am committed to the success of all students by disrupting the status quo. I lead from within by listening, learning, and elevating the strengths of others because this challenge requires community. I continue to work with others to increase access to STEM education, engage in instructional leadership, and work with students and the community to build an environment where all students can succeed.