What made you decide to join the Crew at Alma?
I appreciate the language that Alma uses. I really like that Alma calls all the children that attend the school scholars as opposed to students. I feel like that sets these children up for success day 1. I also like that the adults that work for Alma are called crew. I feel like I am a part of a team.
What do you hope to contribute to Alma?
I hope to contribute anything that I can to make the scholars, the crew, and the school a better place.
What teacher made a difference in your life, and how?
Mr. K was my psychology teacher my junior year of high school. I also was his student aid my senior year of high school. He taught me that correlation is not necessarily causation and that is something that has always stuck with me. We also had numerous one on one talks and Mr. K talked to me about his time in the United States Army. He was one of the many reasons that I served in the United States Air Force.
Why did you become involved in education?
School has always been a safe place for me. In high school I had two school adjustment counselors (SAC) that planted the seeds to making me the person that I am today. I want to be a SAC so I can make an impact on scholars like my high school SACs did for me.
Where did you go to college or post-secondary school?
For my Bachelors of Arts in Criminal Justice (12/2012) I attended Saint Xavier University in Chicago, IL. For my Masters of Arts in Criminal Justice (05/2014), Masters of Health Science in Addiction Studies (05/2016), and Masters of Social Work (05/2021) I attended Governors State University in University Park, IL.
What did you like about your college?
At Saint Xavier I was a member of the Student Veterans of America. I like when the school asked the organization if they would have an Honor Guard for the change of University Presidents. I felt honored to participate in that event. At Governors State I had numerous wonderful professors. During my last Masters degree COVID hit and I loved the amount of support my professors and advisor provided during the pandemic. They kept telling us that we will get through this together and we will help everyone to ensure they graduate on time.
What is your favorite food?
Tacos or Tamales
What is your favorite book?
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Suess and Matilda by Roald Dahl