About me: 
 

The highlights — 

• I didn’t get involved in theatre until my junior year in high school. 

• I went to Texas A&M University as a science major, but I graduated with a B.A. in Theatre Arts in 1999. 

• I started teaching in 2000. 

• I got married in 2003. 

• I earned my M.Ed. in Teaching in 2003. 

• I helped open Fowler in 2007 as the Theatre Director. 

• I left teaching to raise my son Mateo who was born in 2009 

• My daughter Isela was born in 2011. 

• I was BLESSED to be able to return to Fowler as the Theatre Director in 2016.

The journey – 

   I got a late start to the world of theatre. Growing up, I was terribly shy and awkward. My nose was always in a book, and I loved escaping to new worlds and adventures with each page turned. It was only natural that I would gravitate towards the theatre. My junior year in high school, a friend dragged me down for what I believed to be a drama club meeting but turned out to be an audition. I was terrified, but I was stuck. When it was my turn, I was shaking and sweating and ready to cry, but I pushed through. I landed a part. I was onstage for a total of ten seconds, but my love of theatre was born. I immediately signed up for a theatre class the following semester. In the remaining year and a half of high school, I performed in four more shows. My director pushed us outside our comfort zone again and again - and because of it, I learned an incredible amount about life and the human condition. I recognized how this art-form has the ability to move people, to teach lessons, to inspire greatness, and I was hooked. 

   I knew I wanted to pursue theatre. Not totally sure how I could follow my dream, I planned for college as a science major and decided on Texas A&M University (Whoop!). I enrolled in a theatre class my first semester. That class only reinforced my love of theatre. I changed my major from science to theatre before the week was up. 

   Texas A&M had a tiny program. There may have been 50 of us at any given time. Because of that, I was not only able to act, but build sets, work lights and sound, build costumes, and work in the box office. I was exposed to almost every facet of the theatre world, and it was wonderful. I was blessed to be able to perform in many incredible shows. My experiences further convinced me that theatre was my future. I made a plan - I was going to move in with my grandmother in Brooklyn, and I was going to work my way to Broadway. 

   Life doesn't always turn out the way you plan though - I moved back in with my parents after I graduated in order to save up money for New York. I was working a job I hated, but it left my nights available to audition and rehearse. Then my dad got really sick. As the oldest of four, I knew I needed to help out while my dad was ill and through his recovery. I quit my job and took a position as a long term sub. A new love was born. Teaching. 

   I got my certification to teach as soon as I could. I started out in the English classroom, but every chance I got, I looked for theatre positions. I wanted to do for students what my high school director did for me. It took many years to find, but eventually I landed a job teaching English and one class of theatre. The theatre director I worked with was amazing - she took me under her wing and let me help her with every show. I learned so much about directing and producing under her tutelage. I loved what I was doing. But I wanted more. 

   2007. A new middle school was opening up in Frisco, and wouldn't you know it? They needed a theatre teacher. As soon as I found out who the principal was, I emailed him my resume and asked for an interview. Before I knew it, I was the theatre director of Fowler Middle School. I had my own program, and I was surrounded by the best teachers and administration anywhere. It was perfect! I was able to spread my wings and share what I loved with hundreds of students. I watched as they grew, as they explored the world theatre offered them. I watched them try and fail, and try again. I watched them soar. Their joy was infectious, and I could not stop smiling. 

   I left Fowler at the end of the 2008-2009 school year after the birth of my son. I knew I wanted to stay home while my children were young, but I also knew that one day I would return to the theatre classroom. I got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to return to Fowler in 2016. This is the best school, and I am lucky to be a part of it again!  I am beyond excited to share my love of theatre with all of you this year!! Let's go Fowler Falcons!!