I consider myself to be a modern day Renaissance woman with a professional and education background as varied and extensive as my talents and interests. I have a strong sense of mission—to help create a fair and just world with equal access for all, to make a difference by empowering girls and young women, to protect and help sustain the environment, and to support and promote healthy, active lifestyles.Over the years, I have found many avenues where I can continue coaching and actively pursuing my love of learning . . . but I feel really at home in special education, especially at the Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning.Most recently, though, my energy and passion have been channeled into Altitude Ninja Gym, a fitness facility and community that specializes in ninja warrior-style, obstacle course training, challenging the mind and body to overcome obstacles while making health, fitness, and overall well-being fun and attainable for the whole family. I graduated from Wellesley College with a BA in Russian Area Studies and a minor in Economics while almost completing a major in Astronomy. I received my Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law and an MA in Instructional and Learning Technologies from the University of Colorado – Denver, where one of my projects was to design and develop an online instructional course on Copyright Law and its application to the university setting. I also have an MA in Special Education at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.In addition to my career as a special education teacher, I was an attorney in private practice and as Director of Legal Affairs for a non-profit. I have worn many hats in the arena of instructional technology. I have also coached soccer at the collegiate level all the way down to three and four year olds.