My career in Montgomery County Public Schools has been defined by a deep-seated belief in the power of the practitioner. As a National Board Certified Teacher, I spent over a decade in the classroom experiencing firsthand that student achievement is never accidental—it is the result of intentional, data-driven instructional design.

This passion for "the craft" of teaching led me to system-wide roles at the Center for Skillful Teaching and Leading (CSTL) and as a Consulting Teacher. In these capacities, I coached hundreds of educators across the district, helping them refine their practice and develop the professional capacity necessary to move student outcomes. This background as an "educator of educators" remains the heartbeat of my leadership style today: there is nothing more important to student learning than the teacher that is in front of a child each day (this includes paraeducators, and all of our amazing related service providers).

Leading with Purpose at Rock Terrace School

As the Acting Principal of Rock Terrace School, I have been merging my instructional background with a focus on specialized school operations. My work here is grounded in the EIRI framework: Equity, Innovation, Relationships, and Impact.

I view my current role as a steward of our students' civil rights, where “equity” is more than just a buzzword, it’s the bedrock of everything we do for kids. By building upon the strong foundations of the Rock Terrace learning community, I am working to ensure that the "instructional through-line" is unbreakable. From the precision of a student’s IEP to the daily rigor of Community-Based Instruction (CBI), every system I lead is designed to ensure our students graduate with the agency and skills required for a successful transition to adulthood.

Beyond the School Building: Ed’s Not Dead

Leadership doesn't stop at the school house doors. As a co-host of the Ed’s Not Dead podcast, I engage in a continuous, public dialogue about the most pressing issues in education today with two of the smartest people I know: Robby Dodd, and Peter Crable; both experienced school administrators and two of my closest friends. This platform allows us to stay at the forefront of educational research, policy, and innovative practice. It challenges us to look at local challenges through a national lens, ensuring that my leadership remains forward-thinking and globally informed.

A Snapshot of My Journey

• 2025–Present: Acting Principal | Rock Terrace School

  • Focus: Operational turnarounds, IEP compliance, and master schedule re-engineering.

• 2021–2025: Assistant Principal & Principal Intern | Cabin John & Rocky Hill MS

  • Focus: Data-driven grade-level teams, school safety, and community engagement.

• 2019 - 2021: Academic Programs Coordinator | John F. Kennedy High School

  • Focus: Removing barriers from students joining CTE programs, providing pipelines of opportunity post-high school.

• 2016–2019: Consulting Teacher and SST Instructor | OHRD & CSTL

  • Focus: Building teacher capacity, new educator orientation coordination, and instructional coaching.

• 2008–2016: Classroom Teacher & Content Specialist | Argyle & Sligo MS

  • Focus: National Board Certification, social studies curriculum development, and Project SUCCESS pioneer.

Civic & Leadership Philosophy

My leadership is anchored in the profound responsibility of public service. I believe that being a school principal is a form of civic stewardship—a commitment to effectively managing public resources, building sustainable systems, and advocating for those whose voices are often unheard. This work is not about reacting to the moment; it is about remaining steadfast in our mission to serve the common good.

In practice, this means:

• Fostering Professional Safety: Creating an environment where staff feel the trust and security necessary to innovate, and where students feel safe to take the risks required for growth.

• Cultivating Shared Leadership: Moving beyond the "top-down" model to ensure my instructional leadership and grade level teams are the engines of our collective success.

• Championing Narrative Change: Serving as a vocal advocate for Rock Terrace, ensuring our school is recognized not just for the services we provide, but as a center of instructional excellence and human potential.