PROFILE

Award-winning journalist and documentarian turned K-12 educator and writer represented by East West Literary Agency. Self-motivated, reflective and inquisitive.

EXPERIENCE

Social Studies Teacher at Portland Public Schools  Portland, ME 2019-present

I am a student-centered educator who encourages equal parts inquiry and imagination in a responsive, loving, social justice-focused Social Studies classroom. My lessons are differentiated and culturally relevant so that each student feels empowered to access and influence content. Reflection, adaptability and learning alongside my students are at the core of my practice. My district-wide involvement includes serving on the Equity Team and writing middle school curriculum as part of the Wabanaki Studies subcommittee.

Student Teacher, USM’s Extended Teacher Education Program   Portland, ME 2018-19

Assisted and led-taught in a third/fourth multi-age class (August-December) and a 7th grade Social Studies classroom (January to April). Developed differentiated curriculum, designed and implemented lesson plans, collaborated with teachers and community members, attended professional development sessions and parent/student conferences.

Community Outreach Manager/Development Associate at The 1932 Criterion Theatre Bar Harbor, ME. May 2016-May 2018

Responsible for maintaining community relations through overseeing a growing membership program, leading a storytelling initiative/fundraiser, coordinating volunteers, identifying and securing business sponsors, drafting and negotiating artist contracts, identifying and writing grants, and writing annual report. Formerly responsible for all marketing and box office workflows. 

Literacy Specialist at St Nick’s Alliance Brooklyn, N.Y. January- May 2016

Part-time after school literacy instructor for middle schoolers. Write, prepare and implement engaging journalism-based lesson plans. Assist with writing community-wide, themed literacy plans for Pre-K through middle school.

Intern at Kartemquin Films Chicago, Illinois. Sept. 2015-Dec. 2015
Part-time intern for social change documentary powerhouse. Transcribed footage, logged dis- tribution database, wrote web content and helped with outreach to the Chicago community and beyond. Participated in weekly workshops and screened original work at the Intern Showcase.

Play & Learn Facilitator at Chicago Children’s Museum Oct. 2015-Jan. 2016

Worked part-time organizing and overseeing culturally relevant interactive exhibit activities for a diverse population. Provided feedback to administration on future exhibit creation.

Story49 Producer at KNOM Radio Nome, Alaska. Aug. 2014-Aug. 2015

Produced monthly audio documentaries about life in Western Alaska during a year-long commitment. On-air DJ, rotating call-in show host and request show host. Found and researched stories, conducted interviews and edited segments for broadcast, all while learning how to keep warm in 20-below temperatures.

Creator of Emmy award-winning documentary Following Flame 2013
Filmed, directed and edited a documentary following the band Flame, a group comprised of individuals with disabilities. Won a College Television Emmy Award in 2014 for shining light on the successes and failures of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Education/Outreach Intern, WSKG PBS Vestal, N.Y. Summer 2013
Wrote in-class curriculum for locally made documentaries and helped organize community events promoting media literacy. Planned for Youth Voice, a radio pro- gram for high school students.

AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS

  • Extended Teacher Education Program at University of Southern Maine, 2019

          • State of Maine K-8 Certification (020) 

  • BA in Journalism from Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y. 2010-2014 

          • Magna cum laude with a minor in Latin American Studies 

          • Park Scholar: Awarded four-year, full scholarship for achievements in communications, volunteer work and academics.

    RELEVANT SKILLS

    High proficiency in written and spoken Spanish. Grant proposal writing. Curriculum development. Teaching K-12. Video production: DSLRs, JVCs, Final Cut. Audio Production: Marantz recorder, Zoom recorder, Adobe Audition.