I was born in Anaheim, California, however, my parents and I moved to Texas when I was five and I never looked back.  I would most definitely consider myself a Texan through and through. I graduated from Mesquite High School and attended The University of Texas at Arlington from 2003 to 2008, where I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. In 2013, I decided to pursue a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, which I completed in 2014. I am currently in my 14^th year of teaching.  Watching the development and growth of students, especially in middle school, is my favorite part of my job. My purpose is to empower students with the knowledge and understanding they will need in order to be an effective part of society.