As a theater teacher at Santee Education Complex, I empower students to express themselves creatively and confidently through speech, improv, and acting. A member of LAUSD Board of Education’s Committee on Curriculum & Instruction, I hold an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from UCLA and a BFA in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University, trained in Stanislavski, improv theater, and writing. With over nine years experience in teaching theater at both Santee and Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, where I chaired the Theater Department, I have directed student productions and contributed to various publications, including The New York Times. My mission is to inspire and nurture the next generation of theater artists and leaders, who can bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the field. I value collaboration, innovation, and excellence in my work, and I am always eager to learn from my colleagues and students.I am proud to have been named 2024 LAUSD Teacher of the Year and was ranked as one of the 25 finalists for Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year for 2024-25.