Hello

My Story

I’m an educator and writer originally from Kentucky, now rooted in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where I’ve lived for over a decade. My work in education centers around equity—especially social and emotional learning, family engagement, and culturally sustaining teaching practices. I was raised by a strong single mother and grandmother who instilled in me the value of education and the importance of opportunity, and that legacy continues to shape my purpose and passion today.

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I hold an Ed.D. in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with an emphasis in Diversity and Equity from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I also earned an M.A. in Teacher Leadership with an emphasis in Secondary English and an MFA in Creative Writing from the Bluegrass Writers Studio at Eastern Kentucky University. I have a B.A. in Communications with minors in English and Women’s Studies from Western Kentucky University, and I’m a proud graduate of the School for the Creative and Performing Arts and the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, where I majored in Creative Writing.

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I’ve had the privilege of working across the education spectrum—as a teacher, paraprofessional, district administrator,  and as someone who provides professional learning and development across in-person trainings, workshops, courses, online sessions, and national conferences. Now I am fortunate enough to be faculty member at a tribal college and provide meaningful learning opportunities for my local community. My goal is always to support educators, families, and communities in creating inclusive, safe, culturally sustaining learning environments.

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As a writer, I’ve published three chapbooks: Kintsukuroi (Finishing Line Press) Cicurate (a collection of found poems from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars from the SD State Poetry Society), and the deep, wide, dark world (on birth trauma and my daughter’s NICU journey from Alien Buddha Press). My fourth chapbook, A Limb Outgrowing a Weathered Tree, is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press in Summer 2025. My debut full-length poetry collection, We Left Constellations in Each Other, will be released by Kelsay Books in Fall 2025.

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I also write for young readers. My first children's book, Elsie’s Adventures to Brainy Cove, explores emotional intelligence and brain science through storytelling. The second in the series, Elsie’s Adventures to Harmony Hills: The Big Move, will be out in Summer 2025 and focuses on overcoming anxiety that comes from life's big changes such as moving or starting a new school.

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When I’m not writing or working, I’m spending time with my family, doing stick-poke tattoos with my husband, or chasing after our kids—including our toddler. Life is full, and I’m grateful to be in a season of creativity, connection, and continued learning.