After graduating from The George Washington University, I moved to Manhattan and worked in public relations. However, my passion for teaching led me to obtain an M.S.Ed. in Childhood Education from Hunter College. I taught fifth grade at P.S. 171 in East Harlem, NY, and fourth grade at The Learning Community in Central Falls, RI. In addition, I became a certified literacy specialist after obtaining a second master's degree in Literacy Education from Columbia University's Teachers College. Since 2009, I have worked as a literacy consultant with public and private schools nationwide while teaching graduate writing courses at Lesley University and Penn State - Harrisburg. 

I am the Chief of Operations and Lead Writer at Two Writing Teachers, a site dedicated to teaching writing. I co-host the Two Writing Teachers Podcast. 

I am the author of Craft Moves: Lesson Sets for Teaching Writing with Mentor Texts and the co-author of Welcome to Writing Workshop: Engaging Today's Students with a Model That Works, Day by Day: Refining Writing Workshop Through 180 Days of Reflective Practice, and Jump Into Writing. Presently, I am writing a book for parents and caregivers navigating the public school system with elementary-aged children with higher support needs. Packed with insider knowledge and practical strategies, this book will be a caregiver’s compass for navigating the challenges of the crucial elementary years. From understanding what happens in IEP meetings to classroom accommodations to self-advocacy tips for kids, readers will learn how to become their child’s strongest ally. The book's expected publication date will be in October 2025.

I present at local, state, and national conferences. I have served on the editorial review board for The Language and Literacy Spectrum, the New York State Reading Association's Journal. My professional memberships include NCTE, SCBWI, and The Authors Guild. I am a Kappa Delta Pi Teacher of Honor. In addition, I served as the vice president of the Silver Academy board of directors from 2015 to 2019. Before that, I was a member-at-large on Silver Academy's Board of Directors from 2009 to 2015.

I live with my family in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I enjoy swimming, Pilates, reading, and cooking.