I’m a Media Scholar, Educator & Speaker on a mission to use media literacy as a tool for equity, empowerment, and justice.
I strive, everyday, to encourage girls and women to analyze media content and reject images that limit their potential. I’m also interested in social media and how it influences every aspect of communication and gives us the opportunity to become engaged in social media for the social good.
The big question? How can we use media to improve our lives and the world around us?
Media are powerful.
They allow us to see ourselves and the world in new ways.
They open doors to people and places that might otherwise be out of reach.
But they can also reinforce stereotypes, take us away from the people and places that do surround us, and ultimately, impact our mental health.
I also serve on committees for:
With master’s degrees in both Media Studies and Education, and a PhD in Teaching, Learning, and Technology from Lehigh University, my work looks closely at race, gender, and representation in media—particularly the limited roles available to diverse characters.
At the core of my teaching philosophy is the belief that education should empower learners to critically engage with media and society, fostering their ability to challenge dominant narratives and become informed creators and active consumers of media. I strive to create inclusive, learner-centered learning environments where diverse perspectives are centered and every learner’s voice is heard.
Lehigh Valley’s Finest
by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Woman of Influence
by Lehigh Valley Business
Award for Teaching Excellence
Cedar Crest College Alumnae
Board Member of the Year
The Boys and Girls Club of Allentown
The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) is the leading voice, convener, and resource for media literacy education. NAMLE aims to make media literacy highly valued and widely practiced as an essential life skill. Read full web story here.
My media literacy work continues at home with my three teen daughters. It’s not easy to be a child—or a parent—in our media-saturated culture, but there are ways to prepare youth for their digital lives, and I’m committed to this work every day.
In 2004, my husband and I founded Cactus Blue. Today, we proudly run a beautiful restaurant in Emmaus, PA, along with two food trucks serving the Lehigh Valley community. It’s a privilege to serve others, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity.
And, I’d also love to introduce you to our pup Copper!
He’s three years old and came to us from Tennessee during the early days of the pandemic. We don’t know exactly what breed he is, but we do know he’s the best. And, thankfully, he’s only eaten my work a handful of times.
