What is your go-to coffee order?
Never, ever coffee. I love chai lattes!
What do you do in the mornings to prepare to go to school?
I prepare everything the night before. I pack my work bag, make lunch, decide on my outfit, and even fill my water bottle. And if it is a day I want a chai latte, then I preorder it in the app on my way to school. There is no time to waste.
What is your favorite part of interaction with teachers in your partner schools?
I love it when I have developed relationships with teachers, and they can be open and honest with me.
What is your favorite children's book series, and why?
This is a hard one. How can I pick one? I'll tell you about one book I love, but there are many more. I love the Sadiq series, by Siman Nuurali. Sadiq is a relatable character for kids. I also love that kids learn about his Samoli American family, their culture, language, and traditions.
Tell me about a read-aloud that you think is particularly beautiful.
Again, this is hard because there are so many beautiful read-alouds. I love Matt De La Pena's picture book, Patchwork. The pastel-colored illustrations are gorgeous and pull you in. The storyline helps readers see that we have multiple identities that make us who we are and make us special. It also shows us the endless possibilities of what someone could be.
What's your favorite sticky-note color?
Hmm. I like brighter-colored Post-its - purple, pink, turquoise, and green.
When do you do your best lesson/staff development planning?
I do my best work in the mornings when I am fresh. I'm not too fond of planning at night. I also do most of my planning over the weekend, as the weekdays are busy.
Favorite office supply/ classroom gadget?
Post-its are the best; all their sizes are fabulous. I wish I invented them!
What do you do when you're not staff developing?
I enjoy long walks with my husband, especially near the Highline and the Hudson River Waterfront. I try to fit in yoga when I can; it is so good for me. I love to spend time with the people I love, travel, and have nice dinners out.
What's your favorite pen?
I love flair pens.
How do you stay organized?
I do a few things to stay organized.
I schedule emails to go out to my schools about two weeks before my visit to set things up for our work together. I ask that I hear back a week before the visit so that I have time to plan and prep.
At the end of a visit or a cycle of days with a school, I send an email highlighting what we discussed, suggestions on moving forward with the work, and possible ideas for the next visit. This is a short email written in boxes and bullets. I return to this list to refresh my memory before the next visit.
I keep a Google folder for each school so that I can find things quickly.
What's the state of your desk? (organized, messy, etc.)
My desk is pretty organized, although things start to take over my desk as I plan and gather school materials. However, it's all cleaned up by the end of the day. Although I do always seem to have one pile of papers that I need to go through and file away.
If you were to decorate a classroom, what would it look like?
I will tell you what my classroom looked like as a teacher. I hung mini curtains on the windows, and I had different nooks in the room with area rugs and fluffy pillows so kids could choose where they wanted to sit and work. I had a bean bag chair and a rocking chair. Kids loved the bean bag and rocking chair. Kids spend most of their time in school, so I wanted a cozy and warm environment.
What are you learning right now?
There is always so much to learn and keep up with. I am continuing to read about differentiating reading instruction and culturally relevant teaching.
What is your favorite thing about working with the Reading and Writing Project at Mossflower?
Lucy brings us together a few times a month to learn, collaborate, and share ideas, which supports our work in schools. I know I can reach out to Lucy or any of my other colleagues if I want to talk through things or need support. I have a team to lean on.
What is one of your hidden talents?
A hidden talent? Hmmmm. I danced from age 2 1/2 until my early twenties. My experience as a dancer and performer helps me as a staff developer. I often think of staff development in labsites with teachers and kids as a dance.
What is your dream summer break vacation?
I love to travel, and there are so many beautiful places in the world. There are places I would love to return to and new places I want to explore. Going back to Italy and France is on my list. I love the mix of a few beach days and exploring.
What makes a "good day" at a school?
I work with teachers and kids almost every day I am in school, and I enjoy the work. These are good days.
