Energetic educator with over sixteen years of learning and teaching in the Middle East, South East Asia and North America. Using technology to support children’s inquiry. Enriching lives through adventure-based learning and the exploration of natural environments. Core performance and fitness coach.
I attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona and earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and minor in Physical Education. I completing a Masters of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies with a concentration Educational Technology Integration from SUNY Buffalo State University.
Intrepid adventurer, I enjoy getting out to those funky places not commonly visited. I am an American Mountain Guides Association Top-Rope Site Manager and in 2002 founded Adventure Recreation Club, an outdoor adventure outfit. I enjoy teaching the basics of outdoor leadership, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Over the years, I have guided people on the desert sandstone monoliths of Wadi Rum, Jordan, pioneered Cambodia’s first sport climbing crag, and started a Balikpapan’s first wall climbing and mountain biking club for international kids.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Pasir Ridge International School – Balikpapan, Indonesia (2007-Present)
- Northbridge International School - Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2004-2007)
- Soda Creek Elementary School - Steamboat Springs, Colorado (2003-2004)
- Adventure Recreation Club (2001-Present)
- American Community School - Amman, Jordan (1997-2003)
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Adventure-based Learning: Children need to get outdoors, get dirty and interact with nature in order to keep balance within an ever changing world. I have founded and run Adventure Recreation Club at three schools in three different countries to give children the chance to experience the wonder of adventure in nature-emotionally, mentally and physically. You can learn more about the Adventure Recreation Club here.
Blended Learning: I have held the role of integrating digital literacy within the middle grades language arts program (5-8). Working closely with the IT department, I have built and managed the Middle Grades wiki, which extends communication to parents and the community. Using web 2.0 technology to enhance students’ learning, I have introduced a multi-age, language arts resource rich classroom wiki and Grade 5 classroom blog.
Student Council Advisor: By being involved in student council, students have an opportunity to: contribute towards a healthy school climate, express their voice, make decisions, and give back through community service and funding events. Student Council develops a sense of citizenship, community and responsibility. I have run elementary and middle school student councils for five years.
MULTI-DAY WORKSHOPS
- Getting Your Google On - skilling up with free, powerful and collaborative Google Apps for the classroom
- Building Up Your Technology Skills Though Blogs - using blogs to integrate technology within the classroom
- Core Fit Conditioning - building functional fitness, flexibility and strength with intense 30 minute workouts
- Rock Climbing Basics - group instruction for the beginner and novice: technique and rope management
- Adventure-based Bootcamp - designing low, medium and high initiatives (mental, emotional, and physical) to promote problem solving, trust, and communication in the workplace.
