How I Got Here

I was born and raised in Hilliard, Ohio, and I graduated from Hilliard Davidson High School. Now, I attend Mercer University where I study Holistic Child Education, with a minor in Spanish.

I fell in love with teaching when I was fifteen-years-old after I started teaching swim lessons at my local pool. I adored creating lessons and fun games to engage students in the material. I immediately became very passionate about teaching, and I instantly knew that I wanted to teach for my career. After this, I joined a program at my high school for future educators, Academy EDU. Through this program, I volunteered in local elementary schools and engaged in 150+ hours of teacher observation. During this time, I mentored in a behavior unit, where I gained the inspiration for this book! I realized that children in this unit could use the extra support, and I found that there are many students who may show signs of a behavior disability but they may not be diagnosed, so they don’t receive any additional support.

Throughout high school, I organized a free swim lessons program, “Get Your Goggles On” for underprivileged children in my community. Each year, we have taught more and more students. This summer, we will host our fourth annual session, and we anticipate teaching more than 35 students.

After I graduated from Hilliard Davidson High School, I began my higher education journey at Mercer University, where I continued my passion for education and service, as Mercer is a school “where everyone majors in changing the world.” I immediately started volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Georgia, teaching art and tutoring students. Also, I became an active member in Mercer Educators in Action and the Service Scholars Program which is a sector of the honors college that engages specifically in service work. Through Mercer’s Service Scholars program, I am currently on a mission trip in South Africa, where I am working on small day care that needed financial guidance and extra support. I got to play and read with the children, which was an amazing experience.

Teaching and working with students has become an integral aspect of my life, and I am so excited to share this book so I can reach more children than I could do in the classroom or volunteering. I am thrilled to be able to help children all over the country and all over the world.