Personal and Professional Perspective

I bring both personal experience and professional training to my work with families. I hold a B.A. in Sociology from Franklin & Marshall College and an M.A. in Counseling with a Career Development emphasis from Santa Clara University. I’m also a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). Before founding Grove, I worked in public relations and corporate communications, where I developed skills in listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, communicating clearly, and helping people make strategic decisions. As a parent of two teenagers, I understand how differently children learn, grow, and find their place. That perspective shapes the whole-child approach I bring to every family.

Rooted in Education

Education was part of my daily life from an early age. My mom ran a preschool out of our home from the time I was a toddler until I left for college, and I grew up hearing about my parents’ very different educational experiences. My mom attended Catholic school, while my dad went to boarding school. Those influences taught me that there is no single best kind of school for every child and that the right environment can have a lasting impact on confidence, curiosity, and belonging.

Denver Experience

Since moving to Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood in 2009, I’ve been actively involved in the city’s educational community and have guided my own children through several transitions among public and private schools, from preschool through high school. Our family has experienced progressive and play-based programs, innovation schools, traditional and faith-based environments, and college-preparatory settings. I regularly visit schools across Denver to stay current on their leadership, cultures, teaching methods, student supports, academics, and extracurricular opportunities. I also maintain a trusted network of cognitive psychologists, mental health professionals, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, college counselors, tutors, and other specialists.

Why Community Matters

The spring before my son started first grade, I attended a Coffee with the Principal at his new school. Another parent invited me to visit her son’s kindergarten classroom, where I met my son’s future first-grade teacher. Her family helped make his transition much easier, and we remain close more than a decade later. Over the years, my involvement has included classroom support, parent leadership, and service on the Collaborative School Committees at Steele Elementary School and Merrill Middle School. I’ve also been active in The Denver Waldorf School, Stanley British Primary School, and Regis Jesuit High School communities and continue to attend workshops on academic, developmental, and mental health issues affecting children and families.

The Heart of Grove

I created Grove to help families make thoughtful school decisions with a clear understanding of their options and their child’s needs. My goal is to guide families toward environments where their children can learn, grow, and truly belong. If you’re exploring options, I’d love to talk.