Mission Statement
My mission as a visual arts educator and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) coach is to create space for students and teachers to experiment with ideas. Drawing from my experience as an artist, I use the iterative process of inspiration, experimentation, feedback, and revision to guide students and teachers in expressing their vision with skill and clarity.
As an EDI coach, I collaborate with teachers to engage in meaningful work that requires sensitivity, commitment, and continuous growth. Using an action research model, we analyze student data to identify EDI gaps and translate those insights into research-driven experimentation with instructional practices that honor our students' diverse identities. While I hold an EDI leadership role, I approach this work foremost as a learner—particularly as a white, gay person—committed to deepening my understanding and practice. My teachers and I draw inspiration from Dr. Gholdy Muhammad’s Hill Framework, developed from her research into Black literary societies. This framework emphasizes Identity, Skills, Intellect, Criticality, and Joy. I encourage teachers to experiment with this protocol to help foster a sense of belonging among all students in our schools.
As a teacher, I bring these principles into my classroom, where students explore the everyday magic within themselves and the natural world. My lessons blend foundational skills like portraiture and perspective with expressive projects rooted in magical realism. I model compassionate critique to guide students in meaningful discussions and help them articulate the beauty they see in themselves and their world.
In both roles, I am committed to fostering creativity, inclusion, and growth. Whether supporting teachers or empowering students, I strive to create spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and inspired.