I am an educator.  In my professional experience I taught students from pre-school to Adult Education.  My recent transition from direct teaching in the public school system to grant writing for the non-profit organization EdAdvance, builds on my work in the fields of Education and English.  In this role I continue to make a positive impact in lives of students and educators dedicated to the art of learning.  I stay up-to-date on the latest research in education through the grant writing process and coordinate and actively participate in after school outdoor programs.  In addition, in my capacity at EdAdvance, I teach Mental Health First Aid to students and adults in the larger community from teen mentors to teachers, administrators, coaches, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, and social workers who service a range of ages from elementary school to our elders.  The dynamic world of education continually challenges and informs my perspectives and contributions to the larger world around me.  From my vantage perch I witness the direct, positive outcomes on the lives of my local community.