I started my career in SAISD as an Agricultural Science Teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School. I was instructor of Principles of AFNR, Principles and Elements of Floral Design, Landscape design and Turfgrass Management, Advanced Plant and Soil Science, and Practicum of AFNR. While at Jefferson, I was sponsor of multiple clubs/organizations: FFA, Twirlers, Student Council, and Senior Class of 2017. I served on the Campus Leadership Team as well as the District Leadership Team where I assisted in decision process at the local and district level. Due to taking on more leadership roles, I decided that I wanted to go back to school and get my principal certification.
The following year, I was accepted into the Trinity program that partnered with SAISD for placement at Rhodes Middle School. As a Trinity Administrative Intern, I was expected to complete all duties assigned to a Middle School Assistant Principal in addition to leadership projects and completing courses through Trinity University. This experience assisted in guiding my decisions and future.
At the end of the school year, the internship and Masters was completed. I was asked to go to Lanier High School as the Magnet/P-TECH Coordinator to establish the new program and assist with CCMR/CTE. I was able to coordinate with St. Philip’s College and UTSA for campus program planning to design multiple 4-year crosswalks incorporating required graduation requirements and dual credit requirements leading to advanced degrees. Building a P-TECH gave me the better understanding of how dual credit and industry partners are an asset for high school campuses.
I was asked to join the Jefferson team as an Assistant Head of School (Assistant Principal) where I could use the combination of skills I have learned over the past years as well as gain valuable new ones. I learned about International Bachelorette programs and strived to be a strong support and advocate for the teachers. After a roller-coaster of two years, I decided that I needed to re-evaluate my goals and reignite with my original passion which was agriculture.
Transitioning to Burbank as the Agricultural Science Director is a culmination of my interests, specializations, and education rolled into this position. I'm able to work with a great team to build our programs not only in the classroom, but through agricultural advocacy for all SAISD.