I've been certified to teach in Washington State since 1990 (including endorsements in special education from preschool through high school) and have taught in multiple settings. In 1984 at age 21, I was named Big Brother of the Year in King County, the most populous county in Washington, for my volunteer work with a 3rd-grade boy. As the founding director of the Puget Sound Community School in 1994, where I served as Executive Director for 24 years, I've been a pioneer in social & emotional learning. Most significantly, I have a knack for engaging children who feel consistently respected and buoyed by these interactions.