Principal

Senior Administrative Secretary

As the school counselor, I serve as a holistic advocate for my students in their academic, social/emotional and career ventures while promoting academic excellence.  I enjoy the work associated with helping my students reach their full potential as well as witnessing them set and accomplish their goals/dreams as they matriculate through our program. 

This is my 20th year in education and my 6th year as a counselor at Merancas!  I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Counseling & Educational Development. (Go Spartans !!!)

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling through this beautiful and exciting world!  I look forward to working with you this year as we navigate life and academics at the middle college.

Words of Wisdom:  Enjoy this time of your life’s journey.  Visit colleges early.  Lean on OUR PACK when necessary and most importantly, STAY POSITIVE! 

I moved to North Carolina in 2007 to attend UNC Charlotte and never left! While at UNCC, I earned my bachelor’s degree in English in 2011 and a master’s degree in Education in 2013. After graduate school, I taught middle school English while I earned my National Board Certification in English/Language Arts for Young Adults. I then moved on to teach English at Merancas in 2017, where I’ve been ever since. In May 2022, I also earned a graduate certificate in teaching Academically and Intellectually Gifted Children.

In November 2023, I welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world with my husband. She has kept me on my toes since she was born. She’s playful, intelligent, and a true joy to be a mother to. After having her, I decided to transition out of the classroom into the Academic Facilitator role for the 2024-2025 school year. Regardless, I still serve as the advisor to the Merancas chapters of the National Student Council and the Black Student Union.

Whether in the classroom or behind the scenes, helping students learn and develop intellectually brings me immense joy and fulfillment.

I am from the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.  I moved to Charlotte to attend UNC Charlotte where I received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (K-6), and a concentration in English.  I have my National Board Certification in Middle School Social Studies.  I am a mom to two awesome boys and enjoy the crazy adventures they bring.  I am an educator because it is a wonderful experience that challenges me with a new lesson each day. No day is the same as the one before, but each day will always start refreshed and full of new learning opportunities.

I have been a proud Pack member since 2019, serving as the Instructional Accountability Facilitator. At Merancas, I can support you with Technology, State testing, ACT & College Board testing accommodations, CPCC CTE course support, Career exploration, MYEP, and National Honor Society. My door is always open and I look forward to a great school year.

I'm a native of Kings Mountain, NC, so I'm all about the 704! I did leave the area for a while to attend the GREAT NC State University and spent time teaching in Raleigh. Still, I returned home to settle near my family once I had my son because family is one of the most important aspects of my life, and I wanted my son to have that too. I love MATH, and I spend much of my free time investigating mathematical concepts in the real world. I'm not only a math geek, though! I also enjoy reading, acting, singing, and watching trash tv; no judgment, please! My son, Davin, who is 12, is my world and brings me joy daily; he's hugely talented and writes and records music, so we spend a lot of time doing that together. Check him out on all platforms - DJ Rap$ Rainy Fridayz. I also enjoy road trips and hiking, specifically Crowder's Mountain, because it reminds me of my childhood.     

This year is my 14th year as an educator, nine years in CMS, and the past 3 with the pack! I love being a part of the Merancas Family, and I advise Mu Alpha Theta, the national math honor society, and the Hispanic/Latinx Student Association. I currently teach Math 3, AP Calculus, and Precalculus, but I've taught every math a high schooler can take. I've worked with the county to develop a curriculum for math 1, and I am currently working on curriculum development for math 3. I've also taught summer professional development courses for secondary teachers, including Building Student Relationships, Student Ownership, Mastery Learning, and even how to utilize Canvas, our learning management system. I also served as a Change Agent for the CMS Personalized Digital Learning Department, working to coach teachers interested in using personalized learning in their classrooms.  

Teaching is undoubtedly my passion and purpose; I learned that while I attended NCSU as an engineering major, I changed my major, and I haven't looked back since! All students can learn math by making connections and having a growth mindset - my daily goal is to do everything I can to help make that happen. All I need is for you to meet me halfway... and LET ME SEE YOU SOAR!