Since I was a little girl, I have wanted to be a teacher. In high school, I took my first early childhood education course, and then I earned my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Columbia College. I have worked at My Amigos since 2013 and have loved every minute! In recent years, with the help of my coworkers at My Amigos, I have become bilingual and enjoy practicing my Spanish. In 2020 I became the mother of an amazing little boy named Rowan. I can’t wait for the day he can come to My Amigos with me! 2022 has been a year of growth for me. From taking over as Program Director in January and Interim Executive Director in October, I have learned so much. In the upcoming months and hopefully years, I hope to continue my personal growth to positively impact My Amigos.

I began learning Spanish in high school in Raleigh, North Carolina, where I grew up. After 2 mission trips to a children’s home in Guatemala, I knew I would not give up learning Spanish until I achieved fluency. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and English at Union University in Tennessee before completing a Master of Arts in Spanish at Middlebury College in Vermont. I spent a year studying in Madrid, Spain and taught English at a community college in Santiago, Chile. I have experience teaching middle school Spanish, translating, and working with foreign exchange students. Outside of work, I enjoy outdoor activities--especially gardening, horseback riding, or playing with my pet goats, cats, and dog—as well as reading, painting,
piano, and crocheting. My Amigos has afforded me the opportunity to pursue my dream of holding a bilingual job where I utilize my language skills daily in support of an organization that seeks to provide children with quality education and a global skillset from an early age.

I have lived in South Carolina for over 20 years. I am a kid at heart, I enjoy working with children, and I love arts and crafts. I am happily married, and I have 2 kids, Carmen and David. Carmen is a former student of My Amigos, and even after she left the program, we have remained connected with My Amigos. I am excited to meet everyone and help MABEC's mission.