Senior Project Manager @ArtemisAgency | SEL Specialist | Former MindUP, KIPP, Teach For America

I believe that culturally-affirming SEL must be part of every teacher's instructional practice in every school. Period.

<aside> ⛰️ What is SEL? → It is the ability to be aware of and respond to emotions – and to recognize how our emotions impact our school, work, relationships, and decisions. Start by checking out CASEL.org for more information and check out their new equity-driven definition.

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<aside> 💡 What is culturally-affirming SEL? → It is a framework developed within the context of student culture and community. It is a holistic approach rooted firmly in the belief that every child's lived experience must be incorporated into SEL. Children are experts in their lived experience.

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About Me

If you'd like to connect on LinkedIn, find me here.

<aside> 📚 I became a teacher by way of Teach For America, where from 2013-2015 I taught early childhood education (ECE) in a Head Start in Southside Chicago. During these first few years in the classroom, I leaned heavily on my Music Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I fused art, music, and SEL into every lesson with my 3-5 year old students. During this time, I was a teacher by day and a master's student by night, receiving my Master's in Early Childhood Education in 2015.

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<aside> 🏫 In 2015, I moved to Los Angeles to join the founding team at KIPP Ignite Academy, a growing K-4 public charter school. As one of the first 6 teachers and one of 2 specialists, I put all of my time into developing the STEAM Arts program and the character development program. In every school-wide assembly and classroom lesson, I utilized @peakapak, @calmclassroom, @peacepaths, and @mindup with my KIPPsters. It was here that I really became aware of culturally-affirming SEL and its place in community-based schools.

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<aside> 🧠 I left the classroom in pursuit of SEL full-time. I got a dream job at MindUP, the signature curriculum of The Goldie Hawn Foundation, a role which I had for two years. Let's just say I learned a ton about managing a non-profit, accounting, how to run a company-wide sales cycle, school and district partnerships, trainings, curriculum development, CRMs, and marketing. Not to mention I worked closely with the esteemed Goldie Hawn, who taught me so much about standing tall and speaking your truth.

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<aside> 📎 I am thrilled to be freelance consulting in the edtech and education nonprofit space. My focus is on PK-12 curriculum development, go-to-market strategy and sales/marketing development for organizations looking to expand into the US school/district market, and content creation. Check out a few of the orgs I am currently working with: KlickEngage, VOX Femina, Pánfila.

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A Few People I Follow

In the SEL and anti-racist teaching space, there are quite a few gems who I follow and trust. In no particular order, here they are – and the list keeps growing!