Family

I have a wonderful family! My husband is currently a professor at CSUSB, after blazing trails in the K-12 are
for over 12 years. Both educators by choice and passion, we have been trying to change the world since we
met. He has always been supportive of me, and everything I have ever wanted to do. He is by far the best
husband I could ask for.

We have two fantastic children. Our daughter just began high school. She is an intelligent young woman
full of compassion and creativity. Our son just began 3rd grade. He too is very intelligent and has a passion
for history and sports. All bias aside, they are the best kids in the world.

We try to spend as much time together as possible. They are what keep me going.

Education

I earned a Bachelors of Art in English and a Single Subject teaching credential from CSUSB. Afterward, I
went to law school part-time, while I was teaching and earned my Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law
School. I then obtained a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University
of Texas Arlington. Currently, I am completing coursework at CSUSB for the doctorate in Educational
Leadership.

Professional

I began my career in San Bernardino City Unified School District in 2003. I taught 8th grade ELA at King
Middle School for 7 years, where I also served as team lead and department chair. During my training, I
never intended to work at the middle school level. I wanted to teach high school for as long as I can
remember. However, after my first year, I fell in love with the age group and learned what an important
time it is in a childs development. Though I believe I would be successful working at any level, middle
school is where I choose to be and where my passion lies.

In 2010, I left the classroom to become a full-time instructional coach. Leaving the classroom was one of
the hardest things I ever had to do, but as I told my students, I wanted to create change on a wider scale,
and still do. I felt like I could do this to a greater degree outside of the classroom. As a coach, my goal was
to build teacher capacity that would lead to changed instructional practices and better student outcomes.

During that time, I was also able to act as an administrative designee. As a result, I assisted in developing
and implementing the schools instructional program; I handled student discipline; assisted with the
budget and creation of the master schedule; and I developed and facilitated professional development.

In addition, I wrote the proposal for and obtained a 6-year grant from CA GEAR UP that provides $7,500
per year and a host of other free resources from collaborators such as PIQE and CollegeBoard. My school
was one of about 40 schools picked in CA out of about 500, and one of four from the SB/Riverside county
area. I oversaw implementation of the grant, managed its budget, collected and monitored the data,
facilitated the leadership team meetings, and made sure the requirements of the grant were aligned with
our school vision and focus areas.

Afterward, I went to another middle school in our district as an interim vice principal as part of a specially
selected transitional district intervention team placed there to reset the school and establish order. After
stabilizing the campus, new administrators were hired. I was asked to apply for the position permanently,
and was hired permanently. I have been there since. My administrative team has worked hard to turn the
school around.