I have been caring for, nurturing and learning from children for over 20 years, as well as caring for, nurturing and learning from plants and the garden for nearly 15 years. I am honored to have been a contributor to the recently published Life Lab publication, Sowing the Seeds of Wonder and am a graduate of the UCSC Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture. I also have a Master Teacher permit from the State of California in Early Childhood Education as well as a Bachelors of Science in Botany/ Biology. I have been studying, learning and speaking the Spanish language since I was a child, and hope to be fluent one day, with a cultural context that will allow me to speak from my heart.

My main focus and the foundation of my work with young children is grounded in socially just and anti-bias principles, as well as teaching children peace through literature, global awareness, love and care of nature, creative conflict resolution, joy in diversity and self-empowerment. I work very closely with families to preserve culture, language and values in the classroom as well as in the community, and to share resources regarding developmentally appropriate practices, discipline, child development and other areas of caring for and respecting the rights of children.

I am continually committed to self-reflection, a disposition of respect, kindness, compassion, empathy, cultural sensitivity, imagination and playfulness, education, flexibility, honesty, empowering myself and others, equity, collaborative communication and a steady effort to better the world for young children and families.

Keeping in mind that we are all human, interconnected in the most elemental of ways, and that our humanness is manifested in different ways, I see myself as a guide and facilitator, with children and families being active participants in their own educational life experience. I see each person as unique beings with potential, full of good, with an intrinsic desire to construct their learning and development.

In my spare time I love to read, swim (in the pool and ocean), surf, ride my bike, hike, go on long walks, camp, travel, cook, spend time with family and friends, think up curriculum ideas for and talk about children. I also love the sun and to be warm!