I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis where I double majored in Biology and Anthropology. I caught the teaching bug while studying abroad in rural southern India, during which time I taught a computer literacy class to high school students. After college I became a state-certified science educator and spent two years as a Teach For America corps member, teaching high school Biology and SAT/ACT prep in San Antonio, Texas. Despite the extraordinary socioeconomic barriers to academic success that students faced in my school, I was able to lead them to substantial academic gains. My students – many of whom had not passed science in 8th grade – passed their STAAR Biology EOC exam at one of the highest rates in the entire school district. I attribute this outcome not only to my engaging teaching style, but also my patience and willingness to work alongside students until they truly reach mastery of every concept. I also persuaded my principal to adopt the SAT/ACT preparation elective that I taught to sophomores and juniors, because of my personal commitment to ensuring that bright and capable students in my school received the preparation necessary to achieve their post-secondary goals. Currently, I am pursuing dual Master's degrees from the University of Texas in Public Health and Social Work. As a born-and-raised Austinite, my interests include practicing yoga, sampling local food trailers, attending live concerts, and – perhaps most of all – cheering on my beloved Texas Longhorns in football.

UT Football, Spurs basketball, baking, animals, yoga