Founder's Journey
As the daughter of an Army officer, we moved numerous times during my childhood. I was lucky enough to live in the United States and abroad. I traveled extensively and had many opportunities to explore different cultures of the world. My experiences with diverse backgrounds continued when I became an educator. During my career in public education, I worked in 17 different schools in affluent areas, impoverished communities, and middle-class suburbs.
Before retiring from public education, I was passionate about finding the "holy grail" of Title I education. How could hardworking educators close the achievement gap? Consequently,, I embarked on my doctoral journey and found a research-based, promising solution to the decades-old achievement gap. As a result, I started my entrepreneurial venture, and the Educator Toolkit evolved!
Experience and Education
August 1990 - July 2024
June 1996 - June 2001
August 1987 - August 2024
I served as a public school educator in Maryland and South Carolina in three different districts. I held the following positions: teacher (grades 4 & 5), counselor (grades PK- 8), pupil personnel worker (PK-12), assistant principal (grades PK-5), and principal (PK-5). My final 10 years as a principal were in a Title I school, which was 97% diverse with 45% ESOL and 84% FARMS.
For a stint, I was a private practice therapist while working as a part-time school counselor. I primarily worked with Autistic teenagers, young adults, and couples. I also conduct(ed) career and self-awareness counseling as a certified administrator of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
I am devoted to education both formally and informally. I earned my B.A. in elementary education from Rollins College and attended graduate school at Auburn University where I earned an M.S. in family and child development and an M.Ed. in school counseling. My final degree is an Ed.D. from Johns Hopkins University in entrepreneurial leadership in education.
You can't change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust the sails to reach your destination.
