Get to Know Me

My Story

I was diagnosed with ADHD as a college student when I realized that, despite how well I could explain ideas out loud, I struggled to keep up with the timelines, due dates, scheduling demands, forgetfulness, procrastination, and guilt. I masked my struggles with humor and countless hours of effort. Only after receiving a diagnosis did I realize that my cascade of struggles were not character flaws- they were unique firings that brightened my day with electric ideas, yet clouded my daily functioning with frenetic energy and chaotic patterns. I can attest to the transformative power of ADHD coaching myself.

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My Career:

I work for a nonprofit dedicated to the research and practice of executive function strategies, called ResearchILD. I serve as the director of Executive Function Coaching, and I design and lead professional development and trainings focused on ADHD, focus, motivation, procrastination, and emotional agility.  I contribute to our SMARTS curriculum development team and ran our pilot for a new curriculum tailored to middle school students. I provide training and coaching to school staff and clinicians to implement the SMARTS program. I work with people of all ages who struggle with learning, attention, and executive function challenges. I provide specialized instruction and empowerment coaching in the areas of behavior regulation, academic goal-setting, and executive function strategies. My work is driven by my passion for the neuroscience behind how our brains process expectations, reality, and actions. As leader of our Executive Function and Equity Fellowship, I am committed to equipping students with self-understanding and strategies to navigate systems of oppression.

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Before ResearchILD, I worked as a special educator for 13 years. I began my career as a high school science and special education teacher at Del Valle high School outside of Austin, Texas. I was named “Del Valle High School Teacher of the Year" in my fourth year of teaching. After earning my masters degree in Mind, Brian, and Education at Harvard, I returned to the classroom to teach middle school special education at a charter school in East Boston, Massachusetts. I have worked as a special educator with students in grades 5-12, and most recently served for 5 years as a middle school Dean of Student Supports. I directed our special education department, including evaluations, programming, accommodations, IEP and 504 plan development, and instructional coaching. 

 

My Education:

I earned a bachelor's degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from Vanderbilt University. After teaching for 4 years, I pursued a Masters Degree in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

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My Training:

I engage in continuous training and development as a Certified Practitioner of Collaborative Problem Solving through the ThinkKids Program at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital. I began using collaborative Problem Solving in 2015 and became a certified practitioner in 2017. I offer parent coaching, educator workshops, parent group classes, and introductory trainings in Collaborative Problem Solving. 

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I am currently completing the training requirements to become a certified ADHD coach through JST Coaching, a premier training program featured in the New York Times.