As an ELA teacher at Walnut Creek School District for over seven years, I have been dedicated to designing and delivering engaging and rigorous project-based curriculum that fosters student autonomy, collaboration, and critical thinking. With a Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership, I have also been involved in mentoring and supporting other teachers in implementing backwards design and tutoring strategies in their classrooms. My passion for project-based learning stems from my belief that students learn best when they are actively involved in authentic and meaningful projects that connect to their interests and goals. I have published a book on how middle school students communicate and resolve conflicts in group work, based on my action research at High Tech Middle North County. I am always looking for new ways to improve my pedagogy and inspire my students to become independent learners and good humans.