Multi-disciplinary service center dedicated to supporting survivors of violence.

As Executive Director, I expanded work with individuals and families navigating crisis, trauma, and systemic barriers, extending beyond education into a multidisciplinary environment that supports survivors of violence.

I led the organization's transition to an independent nonprofit and expanded access to services through community partnerships, technology improvements, and organizational growth initiatives. This experience deepened my understanding of organizational change, leadership under pressure, and the importance of building systems that serve people with dignity and respect.

Knoxville Area Urban League, a historic civil rights organization and United Way partner, focused on economic empowerment and equity for underserved communities.

My work in education consistently revealed that student success is deeply connected to housing stability, employment opportunities, community resources, and economic mobility.

At the Knoxville Area Urban League, I expanded my focus from educational outcomes to the broader systems that impact families and communities. I led fundraising, strategic partnerships, and organizational modernization efforts while supporting programs focused on workforce development, education, housing, and economic empowerment.

This experience strengthened my understanding of how schools, nonprofits, employers, and community organizations can work together to create better outcomes for the people they serve.

Knox County Schools is one of the largest public school districts in Tennessee, serving a diverse population of nearly 60,000 students across traditional and specialized campuses.

After serving as an assistant principal in traditional high schools, I was selected to lead Knox County Schools' alternative education programs for middle and high school students assigned to long-term disciplinary placements, court-appointed educational services, and those at risk of disengaging from school altogether.

In addition to overseeing the district's primary alternative school, I supervised alternative night school programs at satellite locations across the district, providing pathways for students to remain connected to education while addressing academic, behavioral, legal, and personal challenges.

This role transformed my understanding of student behavior, school discipline, and educational equity. I worked to create systems where accountability, safety, and academic rigor could coexist while ensuring that students facing significant barriers still had access to meaningful educational opportunities.

My experience in both correctional and alternative education provided a unique perspective on the school-to-prison pipeline, student re-engagement, and the critical role schools play in either disconnecting students from opportunity or helping them find a path forward.

Mountain View Youth Development Center is one of only three hardware-secure juvenile correctional facilities in Tennessee. It houses males ages 12–19 who have been adjudicated for serious criminal offenses.

As Principal, I led educational services in a 24-hour secure environment and collaborated with security, clinical, medical, and educational professionals to support student growth and achievement. During my tenure, graduation and GED attainment rose by 51%.

This experience taught me that even in the most restrictive environments, education remains one of the most powerful tools for changing lives.

Florence Crittenton Agency (FCA) is a comprehensive provider of residential and outpatient treatment, offering a Level II program for adolescent girls with substance dependence and mental health needs and a Level III Youth Summit of Recovery substance abuse program.

At age 25, I accepted my first principal position at New Pathways Academy, the on-campus school serving girls in residential treatment and recovery services.

In addition to leading the school, I taught classes and partnered closely with therapists, counselors, and residential staff to support students navigating trauma, addiction, mental health challenges, and behavioral concerns.

This experience introduced me to a world of education I had never known and sparked a career dedicated to serving students in residential treatment, juvenile justice, alternative education, and other nontraditional learning environments.