My career thus far as a teacher in Menlo Park CIty School District has been incredible. I have had the opportunity to teach in several grade levels to positively engage students while modeling the core values of Menlo Park CIty School DIstrict. I have guided students in becoming the best that they can be, I have taken opportunities to create and join innovative programs and have a strong relationship with our Oak Knoll families, as well as my Oak Knoll colleagues. Along with Oak Knoll’s Mission of Every Student an Exemplary Scholar, a Valued Friend, and a Courageous Citizen. Together is our Favorite Place to Be is a statement I live each day as I welcome students, parents and staff to school each day with enthusiasm and a smile. I have had great experiences with innovation, opportunity and leadership within MPCSD. One example in my beginning years in MPCSD was with the Mid Peninsula Teaching Institute in the early 2000’s. We created a partnership with Las Lomitas, Menlo Park, Portola Valley and Woodside. In 2009, I jumped at the chance to start the first 3/4/5 multi-age program at Oak Knoll School. Being a teacher in this program helped create long lasting relationships with students and families as well as feeding my creative soul to learn new things within the three year cycle of curriculum. In 2015, I was part of the initial group of teachers to begin the i3 community within our district. In 2018, I was asked to help develop and test lessons for The Compassion Project with EVERFI. I also participated in two webinars discussing and sharing ideas of the importance in teaching compassion in schools. Each of these experiences contained many layers of collaboration, perspective and partnership, which fed my passion for learning and creativity. In 2021 I decided to leave the classroom and become an instructional coach for our district. Supporting teachers comes naturally to me as I share ideas and collaborate with others to engage our students. After one year as an instructional coach, I jumped at the opportunity to be a partner in leadership as the assistant principal of Oak Knoll School. Every day is a learning opportunity and I am thoroughly enjoying my new leadership role at a place I have called home for over 25 years.