BIOGRAPHY + PHILOSOPHY

My homes:  I was born and grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. I still consider it home, although I have lived as far away as Sydney Australia, Memphis Tennessee, Princeton New Jersey, Montreal Canada, and Boxford/Salisbury Massachusetts. I have loved living in Massachusetts since 2013.

My elements:  I am a teacher and caregiver at heart; I love encouraging and supporting others. I am drawn to any space dedicated to feeling included, safe, and open to each other and the creative process. I am intrigued by connections between different disciplines and concepts, and love exploring various ways to think about time. I enjoy creating art in any form—especially about questions, ideas, and causes that matter to me.

Lived experience:  In 2021-22 I experienced an overlapping sequence of challenges to my well-being. I went through a mental health crisis, a divorce of a 25-year marriage, and a craniotomy to remove a large (thankfully benign) meningioma brain tumor—all at the same time. This experience shook me deeply, motivated me to take important steps in my own self-care, fueled my desire to help others through difficult times, and ultimately inspired my continued education and exploration of expressive arts, and the connection between creativity and wellness.

I believe in: the creative process, body-mind connectedness, pausing with curiosity, the importance of free-play, getting outside, balanced nutrition, self-awareness, learner-centered education, developing critical thinking skills, using empathy to drive meaningful projects, learning through service, intentional work toward equitable systems, teacher morale and support, accessible education at all levels, awareness of history’s layers, human and civil rights, being mindful, cultivating compassion, welcoming inspiration, finding humor, embracing openness, noticing awe, and the power of joy.

Life loves: spending time with my kids (19 and 17), visiting family and friends in Alaska, traveling anywhere, building with snow, skating on ice, the ocean, bonfires, starry nights, aurora borealis, watching dance, watching hockey, walking outdoors, all kinds of music, visual and performing arts, poetry, all children, magical surprises, learning from every field that explores meaning in life, having time to witness and be amazed at this awesome world.