My Life in Education
Download official CV here
In Higher Education
Bachelor of Arts in English from Rice University
Master of Letters in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin College
Master of Fine Arts in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin College
Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children from Simmons University (May 2023)
I have extensive experience in course design for in-person, online, and hybrid courses. I have created and revised syllabi in writing courses, theatre history, and literary analysis of both modern and classic works. I have worked with diverse populations of students in multiple states.
During the pandemic, I moved my unit on succeeding at the college interview to online videos. If you are interested in this material, see the CONTACT section of this website.
College-Level Experience
Fall 2021-present
Renaissance Drama, Introduction to Literary Analysis, Introduction to College Writing
Merrimack College
Andover, Massachusetts
Fall 2021-Fall 2023
Explore (an introduction to college life)
Simmons University
Boston, Massachusetts
Design course syllabus and assignments for Renaissance Drama (English 3220), Introduction to Literary Analysis (English 2050), and Introduction to College Writing (English 1050) in accordance with department standards and learning goals. All courses were taught in-person. Mentor students in their personal writing goals during the semester.
Teach a proscribed but ever-evolving curriculum designed by the Office of Student Affairs to welcome students to college and give them the tools to succeed. Topics included study skills, Wellness goals, DEI and Intersectionality, and Financial Literacy.
Summer 2020 - Fall 2021
Introduction to Theatre History, Employment Law, Business Communications
Lamar University,
through Instructional Associations
Beaumont, Texas
This position was as an assistant to the professor.
Assist the presiding professors with all grading responsibilities for an online course. Provide initial student support and low-level questions before escalating to the professor. Consult on questions of curriculum as requested.
Summer 2006-present
Shakespeare in Performance, Western Mythologies
ADVANCE Program for Young Scholars
accredited with Northwestern Statue University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA
Design (from scratch) two courses for Gifted and Talented middle and high school students to receive articulated credit for a college-level course in Shakespeare in Performance and Western Mythologies. Mentor a college-age TA.
Fall 2012-Spring 2013
Introduction to Theatre (in person and online)
Lamar State College-Orange
Orange, Texas
Teach the mostly-set syllabus provided by the department to introduce the roles, qualities, and genres of modern theatre. Adjust the in-person course to an online model for the first time and develop necessary video production and additional resources.
In K-12 Education
Texas State Educator's Certification Speech 7-12
Texas State Educator's Certification Theatre EC-12
After two years as a middle school English teacher, I took over the Theatre Department at Incarnate Word Academy, an all-AFAB private school in Houston, Texas. The program was on its last legs after a year of cancelled shows, but my students and I designed a production of Julius Caesar with existing costumes (1940's style) and in just 5-weeks, we had a show that allowed the program to come roaring back. When I left five years later, it was a thriving program with 1 in every 5 students at IWA participated in, with most productions completely designed by student teams, build captains, and prop artists. Our final year, we produced a student directed show (Puffs), a musical (Jane Eyre), and a punk-rock inspired Hamlet with cut-scenes by the Broadcast Journalism students, a student-designed 3D-printed skull, and a tie-in art gallery created by the visual art classes.
I have developed multiple workshops for the Texas Thespian Festival. The most successful is Acting Tools for the Ancients. If you are interested in learning more about this workshop, please contact me.
High School and Middle School
Experience
2015-2020
Theatre Director, Fine Arts Department Chair
Incarnate Word Academy
Design (in accordance with Texas standards) the Communication Applications, Fundamentals of Theatre, and four versions of the Advanced Theatre course. Run Falcon Theatre, the after-school program, including: annual budget, season selection, recruiting student and parents, directing the productions, and supervising all set-build and costuming. Observe and coach Choir, Visual Arts, and Dance teachers as necessary. Coordinate annual Fine Arts Evening featuring awards and presentations by all Fine Arts students across the disciplines. I also taught the Yearbook class in 2020.
2014-2015
English Language Arts teacher for 7th and 8th grade
Harmony School of Excellence-Endeavor
Build a curriculum for both English Language Arts and an additional Reading Lab course for 7th and 8th grade students to improve STAAR scores (up 27% from previous year). Collaborate with other Reading Lab teacher to coordinate classes.
2013-2014
8th ELA teacher
6th Drama teacher
St. Anne's Catholic School
2010
Camp Coordinator
Midsummer Day Camp, in association with the American Shakespeare Center
Create the 6th grade elective course in Drama, including putting on a one-act play and Spring musical, in partnership with the Music teacher. Develop and teach the Literature and Grammar courses for 8th grade students.
Under Camp Director Laurie Riffe, supervised a staff of twenty Guest Artists, Show Directors, Graduate Student Teachers, and Counselors. Developed curriculum and schedule for the week-long day camp. Wrote staff handbook. Coordinated parent, community, and media communication. Acted as liaison to the American Shakespeare Center office.
