1. Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from and what were you doing before arriving at THINK Global School?

I grew up in the United States, deep in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Immersed in the dry landscape, I spent my childhood longing for green trees. Yet, it took moving to Norway during college to appreciate the uniqueness of the desert. For example, being able to see far while hiking, daily navigating using surrounding mountain ranges, the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, the resilient flora and fauna, and the seemingly endless sunshine. Traveling outside of what was ‘normal’ was a powerful reflection and learning tool for me. I questioned assumptions, was curious about multiple perspectives, and it enriched my understanding of the world and where I came from.

Before THINK Global School, I taught mathematics at international schools in Norway, Germany, China, and the USA. Most recently, I completed my PhD in Learning, Literacies, and Technologies. My research interest focused on professional development for educators, statistics education as an interdisciplinary subject, placed-based and garden-based learning.

2. If you could make one major change to global education, what would it be?

I would Increase access to education. So many kids do not have access to education that is practical and impactful for their lives.

3. What aspects of THINK Global School’s educational model do you find most appealing?

Place-based learning.

4. Which of our core values do you feel you most embody, and why?

Ubuntu – Building community in personal and professional lives takes time, intention, and care. I love the process of building community, as well as maintaining it. I know most of my neighbors at home, make an effort to connect with friends near and far when I can, and love sending letters. Community reminds us that we are not alone and we are more intelligent together.

5. Do you have any hobbies that you are passionate about?

• Activities with my dog, Artichoke
• Gardening
• Cycling
• Attending museums & contemporary art exhibits
• Sewing
• Going to Concerts
• Relearning the piano

6. What is your most memorable travel experience thus far?

This is such a challenging question. So many stories come to mind, I think the story I tell the most frequently is from college in the early 2000s. My friend and I decided to “save money” so we rented a car in Milan, Italy with the idea to car camp. It was December. We had no road map, navigation system, so we drove from Milan to Florence using a basic map in a Lonely Planet book. It took us 8 hours to drive to Milan, we missed the opening times of the camp ground, so we had to sleep in the car in a parking lot. Needless to say, we returned the car the next day and booked a hostel. While Google Maps and a smart phone would have prevented that whole situation, I am happy to have had that experience. We laughed through the experience and have a lot of funny memories and stories from that trip and things not going to plan.

7. What is your favorite book, and why?

Two books come to mind:

As an educator, the book Mathematics for Human Flourishing by Francis Su is a favorite. Su speaks to the opportunity for creativity, curiosity, and connection that mathematics offers to our daily lives.

Miss Piggy’s Guide to Life. I grew up in the theatre and my mother made puppets, so the Muppets were a fixture in our household. When I need a good laugh, I open up that book.