Professional Summary
Dedicated high school English teacher with 9 years of classroom experience and 2 years as Department Chair. Passionate about cultivating critical thinking and a love of literature in diverse learners. Consistent track record of improving student achievement — 87% of AP Literature students scored 3 or higher in 2023–24. Expert in differentiated instruction, project-based learning, and creating culturally responsive curriculum. Tennessee Teacher of the Year semifinalist (2022).
Teaching Experience
Hillwood High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools · Nashville, TN
- Lead a department of 7 English teachers; coordinate professional development, curriculum mapping, and state standards alignment.
- 87% of 52 AP Literature students scored 3+ on the 2024 AP exam, up from 71% in 2021–22 (pre-chair era).
- Redesigned Grade 11 curriculum to incorporate diverse voices and contemporary texts, increasing student engagement survey scores by 34%.
- Implemented schoolwide writing rubric adopted by Math, Science, and Social Studies departments to align cross-curricular writing expectations.
- Secured $14,500 in grant funding for a classroom library initiative; added 600+ titles representing 28 countries and cultures.
McGavock Comprehensive High School · Nashville, TN
- Taught 150+ students per year across 5 sections of English I, English II, and Honors English II.
- Raised schoolwide reading proficiency pass rate for my students from 64% to 82% over 3 years using targeted small-group instruction and independent reading programs.
- Developed and piloted a digital literacy unit integrating media criticism, source evaluation, and argumentative writing — adopted districtwide in 2020.
- Co-facilitated a Socratic seminar professional learning community for 18 teachers across 3 subject areas.
- Coached the school literary magazine for 4 years; publication won Best High School Literary Magazine at the Tennessee Arts Education awards (2019).
Overton High School · Nashville, TN
- Designed and delivered 3 complete instructional units under mentor supervision; received "Distinguished" rating on all lesson observations.
Skills & Competencies
Differentiated Instruction
AP Curriculum Design
Project-Based Learning
Socratic Seminar
Data-Driven Instruction
IEP & 504 Compliance
Google Classroom
Canvas LMS
ELL Instruction
Restorative Practices
Curriculum Mapping
Parent Communication
Honors & Awards
Tennessee Teacher of the Year Semifinalist2022
Metro Nashville Public Schools Excellence in Teaching Award2020, 2018
Best High School Literary Magazine — Tennessee Arts Education2019
Education & Licensure
Master of Education, Curriculum & Instruction
Dec 2019
Vanderbilt University, Peabody College · Nashville, TN
Bachelor of Arts, English Literature
May 2014
University of Tennessee, Knoxville · GPA: 3.9/4.0 · Phi Beta Kappa
Tennessee Teaching License #T-834720 · English 7–12 & Administration K–12 · Expires 2027