I find it incredibly fulfilling to support individuals as they pursue their education and personal growth. I enjoy engaging with my students to understand their emotions and identify the resources they require to progress in their careers. Having experienced uncertainty and concern numerous times in my own life, I have accumulated significant expertise in securing grants and scholarships, as well as in various forms of visual arts. My journey began as a young mother, teaching my own children while pursuing photography and painting during my spare time. Once my kids started school, I enrolled in online courses and obtained my first two degrees from Penn State University: a BA in Painting and Drawing and a BS in Art Education. Throughout my studies, I discovered that many people give up on their artistic abilities at a very young age, often around 10-12 years old, convinced that they lack talent. This realization motivated me to intervene and prevent children from abandoning their artistic aspirations. That decision led me to pursue a career in teaching 20 years ago. I have taught individuals of all ages, from Pre-K to 67 years old, in various visual arts disciplines. In 2011, I completed a master's degree in interdisciplinary learning (Arts & Academic) and assumed the role of a teacher mentor. Subsequently, in 2020, I earned a Master of Fine Art in Photography. My teaching experience encompasses university-level courses in Art History, Photography, Drawing/Painting, Sculpture, Art Appreciation, Digital Design, and Computer Graphics. While I currently instruct middle school students in Digital Design, Photography, and Studio Art at a specialized arts school, I also hold adjunct professor roles teaching Photography and Computer Graphics. I offer tutoring in all visual arts disciplines and am eager to assist students at any stage of their artistic journey. My teaching philosophy revolves around the belief that, drawing from my life experiences and educational background, I can establish connections with any student and identify common ground. I have lived across various economic strata, from poverty to upper-middle class, resided in diverse locations, and interacted with individuals from various ethnicities, as well as members of the LGBTQI community, and individuals with a wide range of special needs, including ADHD and Autism Spectrum disorders.

Outside of education, my primary interests include visual arts, staying current with developments in art history, and pursuing photography (my artistic passion) and digital design. I have a strong affinity for vintage music, cinema, and literature. Additionally, I am a food enthusiast and particularly enjoy Asian (Vietnamese, Thai, and Malaysian), Hispanic/Spanish, Jamaican, and crispy fries with dipping sauce!