Meet the Educator

For more than 30 years, I have had the privilege of teaching, directing, mentoring, and learning alongside students in public, independent, and college settings across the United States. Theatre and education have remained at the center of that work, grounded in a belief that meaningful learning grows from curiosity, inquiry, creativity, reflection, and the willingness to take intellectual and artistic risks.

For ten years at West Sound Academy in Poulsbo, Washington, I taught IB Theatre and IB Language & Literature, while also serving in IB leadership roles, including IB Coordinator and CAS Coordinator. I developed and led the school's theatre program and worked closely with students as they navigated the creative, collaborative, analytical, and reflective demands of the IB Diploma Programme.

My experience with IB extends beyond the classroom. As an IB DP Theatre Examiner, I bring an understanding of both the philosophy of the programme and the expectations students encounter as they move from exploration and experimentation to reflection, analysis, and assessment.

Throughout my career, I have taught a wide range of courses, including English, Theatre, Acting, Play Production, Theatre Studies, Creative Dramatics, Journalism, ELL Literature and History, Art History, and interdisciplinary arts courses. Prior to West Sound Academy, my teaching included positions at George School in Pennsylvania, Central Kitsap School District, Olympic College, and Bellingham Public Schools.

I hold a B.A. in Theatre, English, and Secondary Education from Western Washington University and an M.A. in Theatre Administration from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, along with extensive professional development and graduate-level training in International Baccalaureate curriculum and pedagogy.

I created WSAIBTheatre.org as a resource for IB Theatre students and educators around the world. The materials reflect the perspective of an experienced classroom teacher and theatre practitioner and are intended to help make the IB Theatre journey more understandable, accessible, and engaging. They are offered in the spirit of professional collaboration and should always be used alongside official IB curriculum and assessment materials.

I continue to believe deeply in the power of theatre to help young people investigate ideas, encounter perspectives different from their own, collaborate meaningfully, and discover something about themselves in the process.

When I am not working with students and educators, I enjoy gardening, spending time with my grandchildren, planning our next travel adventure, and experiencing theatre whenever possible.

I welcome connections with IB Theatre educators and students around the world and am always interested in exchanging ideas, resources, and approaches to teaching and learning through theatre.