I believe that students learn best when they can make connections between the things they study and their own lives. While it can seem difficult to believe that the lives of people who lived hundreds of years ago — or characters in books — are relatable to today’s students, I have found that there is always a connection. My goal is to find those links and to use them to help my students find their own.

I earned my B.A. in History, Anthropology, and Archaeology at SUNY Potsdam in 2012. I began tutoring students in these subjects in 2010, and began teaching them to college students in 2011. I continued my own education and my teaching experience at UMass Amherst, where I earned my M.A. in History and taught four history courses.

I worked as a tutor for two years at SUNY Potsdam, working with college students from disadvantaged backgrounds. I taught history courses at Potsdam as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant and taught Anthropology as a Teaching Assistant. As a Teaching Assistant at UMass Amherst, I taught four courses in American history. I have been working as a Substitute Teachers in Middle and High Schools since May.

In addition to my studies, I have held several extracurricular leadership positions. I was president of SUNY Potsdam’s History Association for two years and their Honors Society Organization for one year. I also served as an Editor and Editor-in-Chief of the school’s anthropology journal and as the representative for the School of Arts and Sciences for the Honors Council. I was also a Co-Chair for UMass Amherst’s Graduate History Association.