What's on my iPod?
Lady Antebellum
Zac Brown Band
Diana Krall
Maroon 5
What’s on my Kindle?
Cutting for Stone
The Lincoln Lawyer
Thread Words
What’s on my DVR?
Glee
Top Chef
Modern Family
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My Professional Background
It’s ironic that today some of my best days are spent on a high school campus, because I was once a teenager who hated high school! Looking back, it is clear that those high school experiences actually led me to discover my passion for counseling kids. I started my College career at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, and earned my Bachelor of Arts in Human Services in 1997 from Cal State Dominguez Hills. While considering a counseling career in the private sector, I had an opportunity to work as an intern in the counseling office at Palos Verdes Intermediate School. At PVIS, I realized that working with kids in a school setting was where I wanted to be! My experience at PVIS inspired me to continue my education at Loyola Marymount University, earning a Master of Arts in Counseling and a credential in Pupil Personnel Services.
In 1999, I returned to Palos Verdes Intermediate School, and have since continued my counseling career in the PVPUSD, working at both the intermediate and high school levels. In 2004, after being asked to join the team at PVHS, I quickly realized my heart was in counseling students through what are often turbulent high school years, and helping them (and their parents) manage both the excitement and apprehension of whatever could lie beyond their graduation day. Over 11 years of experience have helped me develop a clear understanding of the unique transitions our students encounter between intermediate schools, high school, and beyond. As I personally transition into this next phase of my career as the Associate Principal of Counseling and Guidance, I am excited about the opportunity to work alongside this wonderful administrative team, and continue to support the students, faculty and families of PVHS.
My Family Life
Both my husband Matt and I are native South Bay residents, growing up in the same neighborhood in Torrance. After briefly moving away to Paso Robles while in high school, I eventually returned to the South Bay and reconnected with Matt through mutual friends. Over the past seventeen years, we have built an amazing life together with our two daughters, Taylor (age 8) and Morgan (age 3). Taylor is in third grade this school year and Morgan just began her first year of preschool.
Like most other families, we are constantly busy and strive to maintain a strong balance between our professional and family lives. Matt and I spend most nights and weekends playing taxi for both Taylor and Morgan, going from dance to Brownies to gymnastics to art class. We have a large extended family in the local area, and they are a great source of support for Matt, the girls and me. During my down time, I enjoy cooking, reading, catching a movie with Matt and hanging out with my girls.
My Philosophy
I believe that student success needs to be the primary focus of every person working on this campus. Each student must define their own path to success, and it is our job as educators to help students navigate this path. It is important for us to remember that students can be impacted by a variety of outside forces, which can spill over into school and influence their academic achievement. PVHS is a campus that is dedicated to the success of each student as a whole individual; academically, socially and personally. |
