The value of an education was instilled in me at a very young age. Although neither of my parents had the means to attend college, that didn’t stop them from encouraging their children to make the most out of the education that was available to them. On every family vacation, we toured any of the local colleges, my parents wanting to highlight the opportunities and experiences that weren’t possible for them. Against all odds, all four of their children earned Master’s degrees.

In my adult life, I took their lessons on the importance of education and made it my life’s work. For nearly 20 years, I have taught high school history and English, working primarily with AP juniors. I love helping high schoolers discover their interests and find their voice, preparing them to be college ready. Each year, students would ask if I would give feedback on their college essays. I loved reading their personal stories, seeing a side of them that wasn’t always evident inside the classroom. Eventually, I turned college essay advising and college consulting into a profession. Working with students one-on-one and helping them discover their future path is incredibly rewarding.

As for me, my educational path is still underway. I graduated from Santa Clara University (Go Broncos!) with a Bachelors of Arts degree in history. I earned my teaching credential in Social Science and English from San Francisco State University and my Master’s degree in American History from Pace University. In the meantime, I co-wrote a book titled “Teaching Beyond the Timeline: Engaging Students in Thematic History.” Most recently, I’ve nearly completed UC Berkeley’s certificate program in College Admissions Consulting and I am a member of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) and WACAC (Western Association of College Admissions Counseling). I also volunteer with ScholarMatch, a non-profit organization that provides college advising to low-income and first-generation students (like myself). And of course I take my own children on college tours in every town we visit.