I want you to feel your power as you claim your unique vision and voice. 

Three purposes drive me: to build others’ capacity, to increase my impact through the people whom I support, and to learn. 

Writing requires vulnerability. When you write, you bring your voice to the page. You share your ideas, emotions, experiences, and motivations. It takes bravery to write (it’s an inherent risk, and more so if you feel insecure, or had poor or demoralizing writing instruction in school that led you to lose confidence). And it takes bravery to welcome a coach in. I respect you and the risk you’re taking to write about what matters to you.

Writing wields power. When you write, you claim your thinking. You influence others. Throughout history in our country, the power structures have restricted the right to read, write, and reach others through one’s writing to those whose voices or perspectives matched their own or were useful to maintain their power. Perspectives like yours may not have been centered enough in our culture. I support you as you claim your unique voice. As part of this, I share some conventions (“codes of power”) used when writing for your purposes and audience; together, we consider how using or not using these conventions serves your goals.

Experience

I launched my business in 2020. Coaching clients include senior leaders at Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp, cofounders of the Climate Justice Hive, Spot a Spider, Only to Grow, The Luminescent Leader, Ebb and Flow Coaching, and individuals ranging from DREAMERS to mid-level business managers. I love helping leaders shift old stories (“I’m just not a good writer”) and claim their power.

I also serve as the Lead Reviewer for EL Education’s Grades 6-12 Crew Curriculum, provided developmental editing for the internationally renowned organization Narrative 4, and consulted with Scribe Concepts on a process to recruit and hire highly qualified curriculum designers.

Previously, I served in key leadership roles at EL Education (EL), a nationally recognized non-profit helping schools and districts redefine and raise student achievement. I oversaw teams that designed national professional learning offerings, online learning, program materials, and training for EL’s 60+ coaches. From 2012-2017, I led the design of EL’s renowned K-8 Language Arts Curriculum that serves millions of students nationwide. Before that, I oversaw program, evaluation, publications, and staff development as the Vice President of Education for the Public Education & Business Coalition.

With EL Education, I co-authored Your Curriculum Companion (K-5), Your Curriculum Companion (6-8 second edition), and Transformational Literacy. I've been published in the New York Times and Education Week; edited The Right to Literacy in Secondary Schools, and served as developmental editor for multiple books, manuals, and articles.

I began my career as a high school English teacher in Denver, and hold an Ed.D. from Harvard.  I live in a cohousing community in Lafayette, Colorado with my husband, zesty teens, and two rapscallion dogs.

My Publications