I have always been passionate about education and enjoyed my time with children. They have beautiful hearts and I feel lucky when they share their amazing little world with me.

Higher Education:

• B.S. in Biology with a minor in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University

• MBA with a specialization in Non Profit and Healthcare management from the University of Massachusetts Boston

• I have completed the coursework for my MSW (Masters in Social Work) with the University of Michigan, but did not yet complete my fieldwork/ clinical hours

I grew up near Boston, but my family is from Hawai’i. After college, I decided to make the Big Island my home and lived there for almost a decade. Our family moved to North Bend in 2022 and we love it here and are working to create our forever home and build our “forever family” among our community.

Something I believe that I can offer to children, especially my small neurodivergent friends, is that I am autistic and ADHD. I don’t use person first language to discuss my autism because I don’t view neurodivergence as a disorder, it is a neurotype. I believe that having a brain that thinks uniquely has given me the ability to be creative and compassionate in my teaching and in my life.

As with most people with ADHD, I have a lot of experience across a lot of fields. I’ve been:

• a nurse aide

• a nanny

• a Special Education Teacher

• a Manager of a home care agency

• a Manager at Target and Petco

• a taxi driver and tour guide

• a Case Worker for a non profit I helped start to assist unhoused families

• a Case Worker for CPS

What makes my heart sing:

• creating and viewing art

• thrifting and DIY projects

• being in nature. I love the beach and hiking in the woods.

• learning. My special interests include nature, education, cultures, social justice, nutrition, and animals.