I graduated form University of West Georgia in 1998 with a bachelor's in Fine Arts. Following graduation, I taught English at the university level for 2 years and 1 year in middle school in China. I also studied Chinese full-time for two years at Northeast Normal University in Changchun, China, leaving with a proficiency in speaking, reading and writing Mandarin.

Following language study, I returned to Massachusetts to teach for 4 years at Landmark School, a high school for students with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia. I primarily taught art, including beginning drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture, as well as printmaking. I also taught one-on-one Language Arts tutorials for 4 years and World History 1800-present for 2 years.

While teaching at Landmark, I graduated from Simmons College with an MA in Special Education for students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities grades 5-12. I am now have my Massachusetts state teaching certification in special education.