About

Before becoming an educator, I served for 20 years in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. My military service gave me experience leading diverse groups, working across cultures, adapting to unfamiliar environments, and seeing how institutions and public decisions affect people’s lives. It continues to shape my approach to leadership, public service, and education. 

I hold graduate degrees in history and international administration and am completing a Master of Arts in Teaching American History and Government as a James Madison Memorial Fellow. My academic and professional work connects history, political science, civic education, and classroom practice. 

As a James Madison Fellow and former Utah Teacher Fellow, I have contributed to state and national work involving curriculum, professional learning, civic education, and teacher leadership. I believe classroom educators should have a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape students and schools. 

I grew up in a small community in northern Michigan, and that background continues to shape the grounded, community-centered perspective I bring to education and public service. Outside my professional work, I enjoy travel, language learning, genealogy, family history, and spending time outdoors.