About Me

Greetings! I’m a Nashville native turned Miami-based educator and researcher. I followed my passion for History to Florida International University (FIU) over a decade ago, where I completed my doctoral degree. After gaining valuable experience in the K-16 education sphere, I found myself back at FIU as an Assistant Teaching Professor in 2020.

My teaching philosophy centers around creating a lively space for shared exploration. I guide students through the twists and turns of Early and Modern American History and delve into specialized areas, such as the History of South Africa. Two of my newly developed courses are History Through Gaming and the History of American Conservatism. The first course harnesses the global popularity of video games, examining how they present, contest, and reconstruct historical narratives, and impact historical education in the 21st century. The second course delves into the cultural, political, and societal forces shaping America’s center-right identity, chronicling the rise of conservatism from the 1950s to the present, while exploring its complexities through seminal texts and grassroots perspectives. I’m honored to have been recently recognized in 2022 and 2023 with awards for my teaching. It’s both a pleasure and a challenge to continuously innovate and adapt to the ever-evolving educational landscape.

As a researcher, my focus rests on understanding how communities form and connect across religion, ideology, and gender throughout the twentieth century. I am particularly engrossed in transnational and transatlantic networks. This interest is prominently reflected in my dissertation, which explores the intertwinements between Christian communities in the United States and South Africa.

One of my current research projects involves an in-depth look at the homeschooling movement in the U.S. that started to gain momentum in the 1970s. I’m passionate about investigating this transformative educational phenomenon, focusing on its origins, the societal forces that fueled its rise, and its far-reaching cultural and political implications. Furthermore, I’m intrigued by its evolving role and impact on the global educational landscape, making homeschooling a truly dynamic field of study.

Beyond academia, I have a fondness for the great outdoors, which manifests in my love for running. I’ve completed a full marathon and five half marathons in beautiful South Miami. I also enjoy brewing kombucha, an exercise that lets me marry science and art in a delightfully fizzy way.

Traveling is another passion of mine. Exploring different cultures, historical sites, and landscapes across the globe adds a valuable dimension to my life and work, as I continuously seek to broaden my horizons and enrich my perspective.

Throughout my journey, I strive to balance my roles as an educator, researcher, and explorer, always eager to learn, share, and grow. Whether in a classroom, during a run, or on a voyage to a new destination, each step promises new insights and inspirations.

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