The Evolution of Impact
I am addicted to the impact you can have on others' lives through education. I have spent my entire career—regardless of the industry and position—as an educator. I've enjoyed the rewards that come every day, working with students from Grade 8 through adult learners and everything in between. As the inventor of a unique teaching model used by thousands of teachers and hundreds of thousands of students throughout the U.S. and internationally, I've also experienced the impact of education on a whole different level.
My undergraduate studies were in Earth Science Education, where I experienced my first major paradigm shift and started to see the world and various sciences in a new light. Inspired by a geology professor at Utah Valley State College as a sophomore, I changed my major and pursued a career in teaching. Eventually, I studied at the newly renamed Utah Valley University to earn a Master's degree in curriculum and instruction, where I further developed my ability to design curricula and evaluate programs at a systems level. Most recently, I earned a doctorate in leadership and learning in organizations from Vanderbilt University's prestigious Peabody College of Education, where I studied the impact of learning communities in even the most unexpected contexts and environments.
After beginning my professional career in the classroom and later running my own educational technology company, I have come full circle back to the classroom, teaching IB Business Management and Economics courses at Casablanca American School, in the heart of Morocco's famed city.
From bankrupt teacher to EdTech executive.
I was 29 years old. I had lost everything: my family, my career, money and possessions, and any confidence in myself.
Luckily, after getting caught up in an elaborate financial scam, I worked with a therapist who changed my life. He challenged me to take control of the narrative, to own the choices that I had made, and rebuild. He taught me I didn't have to spend the rest of my life as the victim of a Ponzi scheme.
As a result, I created the Real-world Classroom Life Lab. I developed a personal finance teaching model that lets high school students make real-world financial decisions with real skin in the game, but within the safe environment of the classroom.
My journey started as a science teacher. I eventually transitioned to teaching business and personal finance, then became a business owner and EdTech innovator, and ultimately served as Vice President of Learning for Stukent, Inc., the firm that bought my model and rebranded it as Mimic Personal Finance.
I've now returned full circle to the education industry to share my experience and expertise and make a system-level impact.
Learn more about my model here.
Watch my TEDx Talk, where I share more about my personal journey here.