Born and raised in Orange County, I spent 7 years of higher education at Cal State Fullerton to obtain my Bachelor’s (B.A. Spanish), a Healthcare Interpreting certificate and a Teaching Credential. Additional endeavors in college included about 15 or so independent trips to central Mexico (Michoacán, Jalisco, Morelos, D.F.) in order to become fluent and informed on the language and culture. These times of travel included participation with youth and priestly retreats under the religious order, Misioneras Clarisas del Santísimo Sacramento, with convents and retreat centers located in Morelos, Michoacán and here in Santa Ana.

I began teaching in 2013 and have taught both Spanish-speakers and ‘Non-Native’ speakers in a number of districts, including Fullerton JUHSD, Placentia-Yorba Linda SD, and Green Dot Public Schools (South Los Ángeles) prior to joining the Samueli Academy family.

My hobbies include the outdoors (running, surfing, biking, hiking, backpacking, camping, etc.) throughout this great State of California. My time spent at home is with my wife, Aubrey (married in 2014), our son, Theo (born 2018) and our daughter, Zoey (born 2021).

Now into my 8th year at Samueli Academy, I’ll be instructing Advanced Spanish, 7th Grade Spanish and AP Spanish Language & Culture. My teaching philosophy for language emphasizes a full-immersion experience with fun, interactive activities: puzzles, bingo, role plays, community circles, pair ‘speed dating’ conversations, and improvisations.