Professional Biography

With 15 years of experience in public education, I have developed expertise working with diverse learners across multiple educational settings. The majority of my career has been with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), complemented by valuable experience in Palm Beach County, Florida.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland and a Master's degree in Special Education. My teaching career began in elementary education, where I gained foundational experience in both Title 1 and affluent school environments, teaching second and fourth grade general education classrooms.

After earning my Master's degree, I transitioned to specialized instruction, teaching in a self-contained program for students with Emotional Disabilities. During my time in Florida, I served at The Palm Beach School for Autism, a charter school specializing in autism education. Upon returning to MCPS, I worked as a Home School Model teacher for students in grades 2-5, and subsequently co-taught middle school English for sixth and seventh graders. As a result, I am well versed in both elementary and secondary curriculums and how the challenges in each setting are unique and difference from one another.

Educational Consulting and IEP Management

Throughout my career, I have worked extensively with students presenting a wide range of needs, including specific learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and twice-exceptional learners. I have chaired IEP meetings for students ages 5-14, collaborating with both school-based and central office staff to ensure students receive appropriate services for academic growth. I possess comprehensive knowledge of the entire IEP process, including child find meetings, change of placement procedures, data review protocols, and IEP development in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. My approach centers on advocacy and partnership—serving as a bridge between families and schools to facilitate collaborative decision-making that prioritizes each child's unique needs and educational goals.

Orton-Gillingham Specialization

I completed my training in Orton-Gillingham while at MCPS and was immediately drawn to its structured, multisensory approach to literacy instruction. Committed to advancing my expertise, I pursued and obtained my certification as an Orton-Gillingham instructor. Since certification, I have provided specialized tutoring services to students in both home and private school settings, utilizing evidence-based Orton-Gillingham methodologies to support reading and language development. My experience tutoring students with specific learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, autism, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and twice-exceptional profiles has strengthened my ability to differentiate instruction and create individualized learning plans that address each student's distinct strengths and challenges.