Work-Life Balance
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
~a genius in the 80's
I'm a multipotentialite in my personal life too. I firmly believe that making time for personal pursuits outside of work, learning new skills, and exploring new places helps me bring my best self to work.
Some of the hobbies I've become particularly passionate about over the years include:
Hiking
I'm an avid hiker, and have hiked in almost 2 dozen states around the United States. My 2 dogs and my husband are often on trail with me, since it's always safest to hike with a buddy!
Yoga
I have practiced yoga for close to 10 years. Most of that time has been dedicated to a form of fast-paced, heated asana practice that requires an intense level of focus and calm. This has carried over off my mat more times than I can count, helping me breathe through the challenges of the day and remember that I can do difficult things with ease.
Travel
I regularly adventure all over the globe. Some of my favorite places to explore have included:
Greece
France
Colorado
Maine
Upstate New York
New Mexico
Really anywhere with mountains
I speak French, and have an academic background with Arabic, Spanish, and Latin. Funnily enough, the Latin rarely comes in handy while traveling...
Running, Climbing, Lifting
Growing up, I was way more interested in academics than physical fitness. As an adult, I've had so much fun learning to appreciate all the ways I can move my body and discover my own abilities. I joined a family of runners, and have learned to appreciate the mental clarity that a good run can provide. A good lift is my absolute favorite way to end my day. Climbing challenges me to face my fear of heights and remember that I can do things that scare me with positive results.
Volunteerism
Giving back to my community is a core pillar of who I am. Over the years, I have supported several causes and organizations. Some of the efforts I support include:
The Trevor Project - LGBTQIA+ youth are at heartbreakingly higher risk of suicide, abuse, homelessness, and self-harm than their cis- and hetero- identifying peers. Access to high quality, research-backed, identify-confirming mental health resources can sometimes be the difference between life and death. I've never been more proud to be involved with an organization as I am The Trevor Project.
Blood Donation - giving blood can save so many lives, and the vast majority of Americans will never donate. Although I'm afraid of needles, I give blood as often as I can, and encourage others to if they're able.
Transitioning Teacher support - I regularly support teachers who are seeking ways to transition their careers out of public education. I help with this process by sharing resources and networks, resume writing and reviewing, mentoring, and mock interviewing. I have helped dozens of teachers as they enter and learn to navigate non-academic spaces.
National Junior Honor Society - During my entire tenure as a public educator, I mentored youth through NJHS. This program identifies high achievers and teaches them about character, citizenship, service, and leadership. I was particularly proud of the work we did with a campus whose demographics included majority free/reduced lunch and at risk students.
Teach for America - I am incredibly proud of the work I did with TFA, serving under-resourced schools in Houston, Tx. I fought hard to improve outcomes for students and increase access to college programs. I learned so much about DEI and anti-racist practices through this organization, which has carried into all other work I have done.