Position: UE Coach/Culture and Climate Coach
What led you to your current position: My first job out of college was in marketing for a green energy company in downtown Oakland. While I enjoyed the work, it didn’t fulfill me in the way I needed. I realized I wanted something more hands-on, with a tangible impact. I later pivoted to working in schools through an afterschool program, which eventually led to my role as assistant coordinator. It was there that I discovered my true passion: building a culture where students, staff, and families can all thrive.
In hindsight, perhaps the pivot to working with youth shouldn’t have surprised me. It feels like everyone in my family has worked with kids or in service roles; my grandmother ran a daycare and Sunday school, my mom worked as a para in middle and high schools, and my dad was a soccer coach and private trainer. Growing up, I often accompanied them to work, whether it was helping train younger players or assisting players who played my position on my dad’s teams, or walking the halls with my mom as she worked with her students. Those experiences instilled in me a deep desire to work with youth.
I’ve also faced mental health challenges of my own, which required the support of people at my school who went above and beyond their roles. They took me in, encouraged me, and helped me grow, asking nothing in return. I feel a strong sense of gratitude toward them, and because I could never fully repay them, I choose to pay it forward by treating the next student with the same care, support, and belief that I was shown.
What inspires you to do this work: Three main things inspire me to do this work.
First, the people who have helped me along the way, whether it’s family, my fiancé, friends in similar work, or the heroes of my past who supported me when I needed it most. I’m constantly in awe of the incredible work they do; their class, selflessness, confidence, attention to detail, and the impact they have on others have always been inspiring to me.
Second, my Seneca colleagues and my school site team, who are some of the greatest teammates I’ve ever had. Their willingness to help me grow, celebrate victories, and share their knowledge has made it easy for me to show up every day and give my all.
Finally, the students and their families. I work in a community that is often neglected, and it can be heartbreaking to see the challenges they face, whether it’s limited resources or unsafe conditions. Yet, every day I watch these families persevere with an incredible amount of strength and resilience. No matter the situation, the students come in with smiles, ready to joke and laugh. If they can do that, so can I.
What is a recent highlight you've experienced or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role: I think the most important reminder I’ve learned is that change takes time. Last year, my first year, I spent much time with both staff and students, consistently showing up and coaching them through different situations. There were many moments when it felt like I was getting nowhere, as some individuals continued to exhibit the same unwanted behaviors.
It wasn’t until the start of this school year, my second year, that I began to see the changes we were hoping for. Suddenly, teachers weren’t yelling at students for every mistake; they were building relationships and celebrating/highlighting more of the positive moments. Instead of students getting upset and acting out by throwing chairs or denting cars with cones, they were using their words, removing themselves from triggers, and seeking adult help.
It took time, patience, and consistent effort, but now I can finally see the progress we at Carver have been working toward, and it’s incredibly rewarding to witness.
Share your life motto or something unique about yourself: I had a coach tell me once that “Before you become a pro, you’ve got to act like a pro.” To me, this means that you need to embody the mindset, habits, and discipline of the person you want to become before you actually reach that level. It’s about showing up consistently, taking responsibility, and holding yourself to a higher standard, even when no one is watching.
That’s something I try to do in every situation. If I want people to be kind and caring toward me, I have to model that behavior first. If my goal at Carver is to foster a culture and climate where everyone feels accepted and comfortable, then it’s up to me to embody the mindset and habits that will make that possible, modeling it for the rest of the team.
What led you to your current position: My first job out of college was in marketing for a green energy company in downtown Oakland. While I enjoyed the work, it didn’t fulfill me in the way I needed. I realized I wanted something more hands-on, with a tangible impact. I later pivoted to working in schools through an afterschool program, which eventually led to my role as assistant coordinator. It was there that I discovered my true passion: building a culture where students, staff, and families can all thrive.
In hindsight, perhaps the pivot to working with youth shouldn’t have surprised me. It feels like everyone in my family has worked with kids or in service roles; my grandmother ran a daycare and Sunday school, my mom worked as a para in middle and high schools, and my dad was a soccer coach and private trainer. Growing up, I often accompanied them to work, whether it was helping train younger players or assisting players who played my position on my dad’s teams, or walking the halls with my mom as she worked with her students. Those experiences instilled in me a deep desire to work with youth.
I’ve also faced mental health challenges of my own, which required the support of people at my school who went above and beyond their roles. They took me in, encouraged me, and helped me grow, asking nothing in return. I feel a strong sense of gratitude toward them, and because I could never fully repay them, I choose to pay it forward by treating the next student with the same care, support, and belief that I was shown.
What inspires you to do this work: Three main things inspire me to do this work.
First, the people who have helped me along the way, whether it’s family, my fiancé, friends in similar work, or the heroes of my past who supported me when I needed it most. I’m constantly in awe of the incredible work they do; their class, selflessness, confidence, attention to detail, and the impact they have on others have always been inspiring to me.
Second, my Seneca colleagues and my school site team, who are some of the greatest teammates I’ve ever had. Their willingness to help me grow, celebrate victories, and share their knowledge has made it easy for me to show up every day and give my all.
Finally, the students and their families. I work in a community that is often neglected, and it can be heartbreaking to see the challenges they face, whether it’s limited resources or unsafe conditions. Yet, every day I watch these families persevere with an incredible amount of strength and resilience. No matter the situation, the students come in with smiles, ready to joke and laugh. If they can do that, so can I.
What is a recent highlight you've experienced or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role: I think the most important reminder I’ve learned is that change takes time. Last year, my first year, I spent much time with both staff and students, consistently showing up and coaching them through different situations. There were many moments when it felt like I was getting nowhere, as some individuals continued to exhibit the same unwanted behaviors.
It wasn’t until the start of this school year, my second year, that I began to see the changes we were hoping for. Suddenly, teachers weren’t yelling at students for every mistake; they were building relationships and celebrating/highlighting more of the positive moments. Instead of students getting upset and acting out by throwing chairs or denting cars with cones, they were using their words, removing themselves from triggers, and seeking adult help.
It took time, patience, and consistent effort, but now I can finally see the progress we at Carver have been working toward, and it’s incredibly rewarding to witness.
Share your life motto or something unique about yourself: I had a coach tell me once that “Before you become a pro, you’ve got to act like a pro.” To me, this means that you need to embody the mindset, habits, and discipline of the person you want to become before you actually reach that level. It’s about showing up consistently, taking responsibility, and holding yourself to a higher standard, even when no one is watching.
That’s something I try to do in every situation. If I want people to be kind and caring toward me, I have to model that behavior first. If my goal at Carver is to foster a culture and climate where everyone feels accepted and comfortable, then it’s up to me to embody the mindset and habits that will make that possible, modeling it for the rest of the team.
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