Our passionate team of educators brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the early childhood education, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere that encourages children to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. With a focus on inquiry-based learning, our students are encouraged to ask questions, explore their surroundings, and develop critical thinking skills that will serve as a solid foundation for their future educational journey.

My passion for education began at a very young age. I always knew I would be a teacher and one day open a school of my own. 

I studied at the University of Florida (Go Gators!) receiving a Bachelors degree in Special Education and a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education. This is where I met my husband and we began our life together in Tampa!

I have been an IB Primary Years educator for 11 years in Hillsborough County and Lee County. I've worked at remarkable schools that supported me and motivated me to be the educator I am today. It was a huge honor to be identified by my school as Teacher of the Year in 2019. 

I live by the IB vision and incorporate IB values in my professional and personal life daily!  I was fortunate enough to present at the IB Global Conference in 2023 about creating an equitable, diverse learning environment. 

I am most proud of my accomplishments as a mom. My daughter, Hallie, is my greatest joy and was my biggest motivator in opening a preschool. I can't wait to watch her thrive and grow at Grove Academy. 

As a family, we love to travel and explore new places, experience new cultures, and eat incredible food! Most days you can find me glued to a book, playing with Hallie and our dog Tater Tot, or out and about in beautiful Tampa! 

“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” -Teddy Roosevelt

As a third generation Tampanian, I’ve spent my life in South Tampa with the exception of my time at the University of Florida. There I graduated with a degree in Agricultural Operations Management and moved home to earn an MBA and Master of Science in Finance at the University of Tampa.

Since then, I have worked solely in small business, from startups to well-established local companies, but never felt much of a personal connection to the product or service offering. I’m incredibly excited to partner with my wife at Grove Academy and get to work at “work worth doing”. 

I never thought I would be a teacher, but life had other plans for me. I have always

loved kids and to be of service to others. After getting my bachelors in Political Science

at Providence College and working in that field, I quickly learned it was not for me.

While working as an office manager for an adult literacy program and being

encouraged by my coworkers to become a teacher I decided to try it. I became a para

and then from there interned at an elementary school while earning my Masters in the

Art of Teaching from Sacred Heart University.

This will be my 17th year of teaching. I have taught all ages from Kindergarten to Middle

School and have 13 years of IB experience. I believe in fostering a healthy nurturing

learning environment that focuses on the whole child and allows students to learn

through play.

Outside of school I enjoy being active, traveling, cooking, spending time with friends and

family and learning new things.

I'm excited about becoming a member of the Grove Academy family. I look forward to

creating a learning environment that is the standard for what education should be.

I’m thrilled to be part of an environment that’s committed to nurturing the unique potential in every child.

I hold a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and am also a Certified Nursing Assistant, but my true calling lies in working with children.

Before joining the Grove Academy family, I spent three years as a Paraprofessional at an   IB school. There, I gained invaluable experience working with young minds and developed a deep appreciation for the IB program.

I’m a proud wife and mother to two beautiful daughters, Brileigh & Bayleigh, and dog mom to Vita our Miniature Pinscher. My experiences as a mother have deepened my understanding of child development and the importance of creating a loving environment that fosters independence.