The WHILDE School Team
I have a Master's in Education from St Joseph's College, a BA in Social Work, is licensed in ABA therapy and trained in Lindamood-Bell. I am also currently working on my Doctorate of Education ((EdD).
I founded the WHILDE Method in 2012 because I believe in Personalized Learning and love helping young minds Learn and Grow and take risks while having fun at the same time.
As a teacher at both Public and Private Schools, I could not make the kind of difference that I wanted to with my students; so after tutoring for many years, I set out on my own.
Over the years, I created the WHILDE Method Blueprint designed to discover how my Students learn, their personal attributes, and their Executive Function Skills. I then apply what I learn to the way I teach and the curriculum I develop. My approach is effective and is proven to work because it allows for positive long-term change, including personal growth and development among my students.
I have worked with students with behavioral or developmental learning delays. I believe that a Student-Centered approach toward learning, building an individualized curriculum for each student's lesson based on their learning style, is the best approach to teaching and Coaching.
When I am not teaching, I spend time at home on a Casco Bay Island with my four daughters and wonderful husband.
I received my Bachelor's Degree in Rehabilitation from The University of Maine in Farmington in 2000. While at UMF, I did an internship at Evergreen Behavioral Services as a Crisis Intervention Provider and earned my MHRT-C certification.
After graduation, I stayed as an employee in that position until 2014, when I relocated to the Cumberland area. Part of my time at Evergreen included a position at Western Maine Renaissance School as an Ed Tech/ Behavior support person for grades 5-12.
In this position, I was lucky enough to work closely with students in a small classroom setting, allowing for individualized instruction and support. My time at Evergreen also included work in schools in the surrounding districts in the role of crisis intervention, stabilization, and brief treatment as an MHRT-C.
Most recently, I worked as an Ed Tech at the Mable I Wilson school in their special education Behavior Program. Working closely with my students has allowed me to form rewarding relationships as they develop their learning styles and personalities and become their own individuals.
Outside of school, I enjoy anything outdoors - including snowboarding, mountain biking, swimming, and spending time with my horse and my husband and two daughters.
I received my B.S. in General Studies in Education Studies from the University of Maine at Farmington. I then went on to take classes at the University of Maine at Machias to earn my 282 certification (Special Education). I am currently a Certified Trauma Professional and a Special Education Advocate.
Prior to working at Whilde, I worked as a 7-12 Special Education Teacher for a district local to me.
During that time, I worked in mainstream classes, a social/emotional program, and as a remote teacher. Being a Special Education Teacher has allowed me the experience of teaching all subjects at varying different levels.
I believe that education is more than just academics. I look to build meaningful connections with my students and to help them feel confident and supported while they learn. I recognize that learning can be hard and a struggle at times. I strive to help make learning engaging and to have fun along the way. I look at students' learning styles, ways to differentiate/modify material, and how to provide students with multiple views of how to work through a problem.
When I am not teaching, I enjoy being with my family, hiking, camping, working on projects for our sign business, and hanging out with the over 50 animals on our farm.
I received my B.S. in Secondary English Education from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2005. My first teaching position was as an eighth-grade Language Arts teacher at Waterville Junior High School.
As I began moving closer to home, I spent a year working in a self-contained classroom at Cony High School. Finally, I settled into teaching seventh and eighth-grade Language Arts at RSU5 for over a decade. A couple of years after having my second child, I moved into a Literacy RTI Educational Technician role, also in RSU5. Last year, my position became a half-day Pre-K Educational Technician, and I continued to work with RTI for the other half-day.
My journey as a teacher has allowed me to work with a wide spectrum of students, including all grade levels from pre-k to high school. I am also trained in Teachers College Reading and Writing Workshop. My training includes three Summer Institutes at Teachers College at Columbia University in New York, NY. I am also trained in Read Write Inc. Phonics and Leveled Literacy Intervention. In the area of behavioral education, I have received behavioral coaching for Dr. Ross Greene’s Collaborative Problem Solving.
The heart of my work is always based on the students. I enjoy bringing a text-rich environment into the classroom. I view teaching as nurturing students’ individual interests and building their curiosity. However, first and foremost, a positive and trusting relationship between student and teacher is the most critical starting point in the process of learning.
I live with my two sons and husband in Durham. We enjoy traveling and spending time at Grimes Cove in Boothbay. I spend my quiet time reading, painting, needle felting, and doing any other art form that sparks my interest.
In 2013 I received my B.S in Middle Childhood Education, with a concentration in Middle School Mathematics & Social Studies from Ohio University. I moved directly to Maine after college and found my passion for teaching diverse learners as a 1:1 preschool Ed Tech at Easter Seals Maine.
For the past 7 years, I have had the unique opportunity to provide 1:1 support for a student as an Ed Tech from 7th grade through his high school graduation.
Differentiating and individualizing curriculum for all subjects in both mainstream and special education settings has helped me build the skills and confidence to be an effective educator for all learners.
I also have a passion for coaching and currently coach various middle school sports at Lincoln Middle School in Portland. During my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball, basketball, disc golf, and exploring the woods.
I currently hold a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Maine at Farmington. Recently, I have continued my education through online courses provided by Hillsdale College and Ralston College.
I am lucky enough to have the most amazing son and Fiancé. When I am not exploring the wonders of life with my family, you can find me jamming at various venues with my band.
The origin of our word “education” derives from the definitions: “to bring forth” and “to bring up.” My goal has always been to bring forth the necessary knowledge that will intrinsically bring up the overall quality and trajectory of the student's life in all aspects
Being truly open to understanding each student's perspective and personalizing my approach with them, so they feel respected, listened to, and understood helps create an environment where students can reach their utmost potential – not only as sovereign individuals but as cohesive group members as well.
I hope to kindly illuminate your child in a way that will glow passionately through the streets, spreading the fire of education for all to see.
I received my BA in Cultural Anthropology from Bates College and continued my focused studies in Experiential Education at Antioch, New England, where I earned my MEd in Integrated Learning.
I have worked in a variety of educational settings, including as the Educational Coordinator at the Children’s Museum of Maine, Assistant Teacher at Friends School of Portland, Ed Tech lll at Fiddlehead Charter School, and most recently as an Ed Tech lll / Behavior teacher at Greely Middle School. In all of these roles, I’ve cherished the opportunity to work with students 1:1 or in small groups to connect and meet them where learning needs and goals dovetail with social and emotional growth.
Learning from others is a gift that I am grateful for every day. When I work alongside students, I take the time to listen, consider and reflect on moving forward together as partners in education. I make it my highest priority to integrate fun and joy into just about everything I do.
When I’m not at school, you’ll probably find me outside somewhere! I might be in the woods with my friends, dog, and/or family, running, hiking, or looking for a stream to play in. I have two teenagers and a husband, who cook with me, go on travel adventures, and also love a good campfire. My doggy and chickens round out our family of fun.