Hello, new friends! Allow me to  share my story—a tapestry woven with threads of education, service, and unwavering love for community.

Education and Early Years: In the early 2000s, I embarked on an educational journey at the University of California, Davis, where I majored in Nature and Culture and earned a multiple subject teaching credential. Armed with a passion for nurturing young minds, I stepped into the world of education.

Teaching and Music: As a preschool teacher and substitute teacher, I reveled in the joy of shaping curious minds. But my heart also danced to a different rhythm—the call of music. So, I pursued a second degree in Music from the State University of New York, Stony Brook. 

Summer Adventures: In the summer of 2005, I worked as a camp counselor for Telluride Academy and witnessed the wonder in children’s eyes as they explored nature, friendship, and their own potential. I also became enamored with the majesty and beauty of SW Colorado. 

Preschool Leadership: In 2008 I found my way back to Colorado when I accepted a position as Preschool Director at the Telluride Early Childhood Center. Guided by compassion and creativity, I nurtured a space where little feet took their first steps toward a lifetime of discovery.

Army Life and Musical Notes: Life’s cadence shifted when I donned the uniform. As an Active Duty Army Bandsman, I crisscrossed the map—playing my clarinet in the desert landscape of Fort Huachuca, Arizona, the frost-kissed lands of Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and in the endless greenery of the Pacific Northwest of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. 

Guardian of Service: Transitioning to the Army National Guard, I continued my dual role: guardian and musician. The Arizona National Guard echoed with my clarinet’s notes until 2018. Then, I traded melodies for legal texts, serving as an Army Trial Defense Service paralegal with the Oregon National Guard.

Colorado Dreams: Colorado—the land of endless skies, rugged peaks, and spirited souls—beckoned. Though I hadn’t lived there since 2009, it remained etched in my heart. I vowed to return, to breathe in the crisp mountain air, and to immerse myself in the warmth of its people.

A New Chapter: After being honorably discharged from the Army in 2022, I worked as a legal assistant with the US Attorney’s Office in Portland, Oregon, but I deeply missed teaching and working directly with my community. That is when an incredible opportunity arose—a position as the Program Coordinator at the Lone Cone Library. I knew this was my dream job, but like many people, felt limited by the reality of finding housing. The Rural Homes Pinion Park Project provided the perfect solution and allowed me the opportunity to accept the Program Coordinator position. I am so incredibly grateful that these stars aligned, knowing that this was my chance to blend my love for teaching, community, and Colorado’s soul-stirring landscapes.

Today and Tomorrow: As I write my story, I am filled with gratitude; My son will grow up surrounded by mountain vistas, a wonderful community, and the magic of books. And I have been invited and welcomed into a fiercely dedicated, profoundly talented, and incredibly passionate team. Together, we will create programs, spark curiosity, build bridges and weave the fabric that makes a community strong.