de Magistra
As the World Languages Department Chair, I am very lucky to serve and work alongside the talented and dedicated teachers in my department. I am, admittedly, biased toward Latin, but you cannot make a bad choice when choosing a language to take at Westlake High School. We are fortunate to offer courses and clubs for ASL, Chinese, French, German, Latin, and Spanish. And, we have a beautiful Language Lab thanks to the generous support of our campus Parent Teacher Organization!
I delight in using modern technology in the study of ancient material, and I intentionally blend different teaching and assessment styles for the benefit of my students. Sometimes we will have traditional assessment, sometimes project-based learning. Sometimes work will be inquiry-driven, sometimes teacher-lead. I try to model the kind of work ethic and willingness to experiment & try new things that I hope to see in my students. How can I ask something of my students if I am not willing to do the same?
In 2017, I became a member of the district League of Innovators and the Westlake Teacher Innovation Association. I was also one of the initial 26 pilot teachers for new furniture. Our classroom furniture is just a few years old, ergonomic, and designed for collaboration and versatility. I love the movement, flexibility, and improved student comfort! If you are curious, arrange to come join us and see what it is like from the inside.
In addition to local and district initiatives, I am also involved with others beyond our district. I sponsored a student officer in the Texas State Junior Classical League, and we co-hosted State 2019 with the amazing folks at Anderson HS. I completed my second term as the President of the Armadillo Classical Society, the local organization for Classics teachers and JCL sponsors, in May of 2017, and I remain active in the organization. In 2015-16, I was selected as one of 70 teachers and Edtechs from around the country as a PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator, which means I am part of a network of innovative educators and educational technologists from around the country AND the entire school was gifted with free training and resources. I have presented with PBS, with ACS colleagues, and on my own at many professional learning and technology conferences. My students nominated me as an American Graduate Champion, and I was awarded that distinction in 2015 as well. I belong to the American Classical League, the Texas Classical Association, the Texas Computer Education Association, the Teachers of Foreign Languages Association, and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
My professional background, prior to joining the World Languages team in Eanes in 2009, consists of 3 years of teaching middle school Latin, Language Arts, Creative Writing, Certamen, and Study Skills at St. Gabriel's Catholic School; 2 years working at the Writing Center at the University of Virginia where I did my graduate work; 1 year as a Pre-K Team Leader for Jumpstart Charlottesville; and a host of other, non-teaching employment. I earned a Master of Arts in English from the University of Virginia in 2005 (Wahoowa!) and a Bachelor of Arts in Latin & English Honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 2003 (Hook 'Em Horns!).
I live in South Austin with my husband, David, our two boys, William and Charlie, and our two dogs, Max(imus) and Jane. My husband works with instructional technology at UT, and our boys are both at Cedar Creek Elementary. We love getting out and about in Austin, especially when the whole family can join in, so come say "HI!" if you see us around.
My professional background, prior to joining the World Languages team in Eanes in 2009, consists of 3 years of teaching middle school Latin, Language Arts, Creative Writing, Certamen, and Study Skills at St. Gabriel's Catholic School; 2 years working at the Writing Center at the University of Virginia where I did my graduate work; 1 year as a Pre-K Team Leader for Jumpstart Charlottesville; and a host of other, non-teaching employment. I earned a Master of Arts in English from the University of Virginia in 2005 (Wahoowa!) and a Bachelor of Arts in Latin & English Honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 2003 (Hook 'Em Horns!).
I live in South Austin with my husband, David, our two boys, William and Charlie, and our two dogs, Max(imus) and Jane. My husband works with instructional technology at UT, and our boys are both at Cedar Creek Elementary. We love getting out and about in Austin, especially when the whole family can join in, so come say "HI!" if you see us around.