2026 NAAE Convention

I am an agricultural educator and passionate advocate for accessible, relevant agricultural education. Originally from Bloomington, Illinois, I did not grow up on a farm but discovered my passion for agriculture through 4-H and an agriculture class in high school. I earned my B.S. in Agricultural Education from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and have taught agriculture at both the high school and middle school levels. Most recently, I launched a brand-new middle school agricultural education program at Jack Hille Middle School in Forest Ridge School District 142.I also spent the 2024–2025 school year in Ghana as a USDA/Borlaug Institute Fellow, where I supported school-based agricultural education, sustainable school gardens, teacher professional learning, and youth leadership programming. I am active in the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, contributing to curriculum development and advocating for stronger opportunities for middle school agricultural learners. I believe agriculture should be accessible and inspiring for every student, and I love helping young people discover the connections between agriculture, science, leadership, food systems, and their communities. I am also serving as a NAAE Agriscience Ambassador this year. If you have any questions or would like to connect further, don't hesitate to reach out!