Centering Purpose, Identity, and Awareness in Every Reading Experience

My purpose in forming Learning With Purpose is to share the knowledge and insight I’ve gained across literacy, instruction, and leadership. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to learn in both academic, professional, and classroom settings and to translate that learning into practice that supports teachers and students.

My career began as a special education tutor before I stepped into my first classroom as a high school history teacher. In those early years, I discovered that while I had strong content knowledge, I lacked the tools to help students gain knowledge through reading, or to express their understanding effectively in writing. That realization became a turning point, leading me to pursue advanced study in reading.

I went on to earn a post-master’s degree in reading. Later, I earned a doctorate in curriculum studies from the University of South Carolina. Alongside my academic journey, I continued working closely with colleagues in schools, applying what I learned to improve literacy practices and student outcomes. My dedication to leadership brought me to the University of Connecticut, where I completed the Executive Leadership Program to deepen my understanding of what it means to lead as a superintendent.

Today, I serve as Director of Curriculum in a Connecticut public school system. With nearly two decades in education, from high school history to K–12 reading instruction to PK–12 leadership, I remain focused on helping teachers cultivate purposeful, identity-centered literacy practices to benefit their students.