It is with great excitement, gratitude, and humility that I introduce myself to the Lake Lure Classical Academy community. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as your Director and to become part of a school and community that values academic excellence, character formation, and a shared commitment to preparing young people for lives of purpose and service.
Education has been both my profession and my calling for many years. My journey into education began at home while homeschooling my four children. Those early experiences ignited a passion for helping young people discover their potential and reinforced my belief that every child deserves an education that challenges the mind, develops character, and inspires a lifelong love of learning. That passion continues to guide every decision I make as an educator and school leader.
My academic preparation has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to serve students, teachers, and families in a variety of educational settings. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Educational Computing and Technology from Barry University. I later completed an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, followed by a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to continuous learning because I believe that the best educational leaders are lifelong learners themselves.
Professionally, I have had the privilege of serving students from kindergarten through high school and have also taught at the collegiate level. My experiences have included classroom teaching, serving as a Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and Principal, and leading school improvement efforts in charter schools across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Polk Counties in Florida. I have also worked in homeschooling, public, charter, private, and tribal school environments. Each of these experiences has strengthened my appreciation for the unique gifts and needs of every student and reinforced the importance of creating schools where every child is known, challenged, and supported.
Throughout my career, I have focused on building strong instructional programs, developing exceptional teachers, and using meaningful data to improve student learning. While academic achievement is certainly important, I believe the purpose of education extends beyond test scores and graduation requirements. Schools have the extraordinary responsibility of helping students become thoughtful, compassionate, disciplined, and responsible citizens who are prepared to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
This philosophy is one of the many reasons I am so passionate about classical education. Classical education provides students with a rich foundation of knowledge while encouraging critical thinking, articulate communication, intellectual curiosity, and moral character. It teaches students not simply what to think, but how to think. It invites them to wrestle with enduring ideas, appreciate beauty, seek truth, and develop wisdom that will serve them throughout their lives. I believe these principles prepare students not only for success in college and careers but also for lives of integrity, leadership, and service.
As an educational leader, I strive to cultivate a school culture built upon high expectations, mutual respect, personal responsibility, and continuous improvement. I believe that every member of a school community—students, teachers, staff, parents, and community partners—plays an essential role in creating an environment where children can flourish. Strong relationships, open communication, and shared purpose are the foundation of successful schools, and I look forward to building those relationships with each of you.
My family and I recently made Lake Lure our home, and we are delighted to become part of this remarkable community. We have already experienced the warmth, kindness, and genuine spirit that make this area such a special place to live. I am eager to become actively involved in the life of our community, to listen and learn from our families and staff, and to work alongside our Board of Directors and community partners as we continue strengthening the outstanding tradition of excellence at Lake Lure Classical Academy.
I firmly believe that the greatest accomplishments of any school are achieved through partnership. Together, we can create opportunities that inspire our students to pursue excellence, grow in wisdom and virtue, and develop the confidence to lead lives of purpose. My commitment is to serve with integrity, transparency, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the success of every student entrusted to our care.
Thank you for welcoming me into the Lake Lure Classical Academy family. I look forward to meeting each of you, learning your stories, celebrating our successes together, and working hand in hand as we continue building a school where academic excellence and character flourish for generations to come.
“Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.”
-Edward Butler Yeats