At a young age, I always envisioned myself instructing and planning for a class to educate students on a topic I am passionate about. While studying painting and art education at Illinois State University, I loved creating art and immersing myself in communities that championed advocacy, anti-racism, and cultural appreciation. By my early 20s, I realized that the skills and passions I developed as an educator could be applied beyond the classroom, allowing me to make a broader impact.

After earning my bachelor’s degree, I had the privilege of teaching in the same school district where I grew up. This experience allowed me to give back to a community where financial challenges were common, but opportunities for growth and learning were abundant. Throughout my teaching career, I worked closely with colleagues to co-develop a new district-wide middle school art curriculum, introduced students to innovative and non-traditional art-making techniques, and advised a high school Asian cultural club to promote diversity and cultural understanding.

This past year, I chose to step away from public education to purse a Masters in Arts Management. In my graduate studies, I have been committed to exploring the impact of art and cultural education, community, and how these elements support and enrich one another.