I grew up and currently live in Indianapolis with my husband and two children. From an early age I knew I wanted to be a teacher.  Having teachers in my family, I knew the love, passion, and hard work that goes into teaching.  While in college, I was introduced to the Reggio Emilia approach, the Project Approach, and other teaching philosophies. I immediately fell in love with project work and the Reggio Emilia approach.  The way that children were seen, valued, and encouraged was inspiring.  I decided then that this would be my life’s work-to learn and incorporate these constructivist approaches into my own teaching.  After graduation, I taught four years in a public preschool where I honed my teaching craft.

After getting my Master’s Degree, I was asked to interview for an opening at a new progressive public school influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach. In 2011, I accepted this opportunity.  While I have taught different grades (kindergarten, first, and even a stint in third) and held different roles (I was a pedagogista, which means that I supported the community (teachers, students, families) by understanding and living out who we say we were), I have stayed committed to looking for possibilities for greater and deeper meaning, understanding, joy, and play.    

Throughout my career, I have written articles, I have given numerous presentations to staff, other school communities, and arts programs. I have been a mentor to many undergraduate students.  I have traveled to Reggio Emilia, Italy to see the schools in action. I have been to numerous schools around the country also inspired by the approach so I can grow as a learner and see how other schools interpret this work in our American context.  

Recently, I was asked to present on a more consistent basis at several schools in the Midwest, and since then my heart has grown to love collaborating with educators outside of my school and helping them think about their work.  It has grown so much that Woven Thread was created.