Since my “About” page is comically long, here’s a more traditional recap of my professional and personal experience.
You can also view my official CV here.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2017 - Present: Independent YouTube & Online Creator
2019 - Present: Podcast Producer/Host
2019 - 2022: Public Arts Commission, City of Indio (Commissioner, Vice Chair, & Chair)
2016 - 2021: Pathway Coordinator/Instructor, Indio High School
Institute of Media Production Arts & Creative Technology (IMPACT)
2012 - 2016: Digital Storytelling CTE Pathway Instructor, Cathedral City High School
Digital Arts Technology Academy (DATA)
2011 - 2017: Yearbook Advisor, Indio & Cathedral City High Schools
2011 - 2013: English instructor, Cathedral City High School
2006 - 2010: Trader Joe’s Graphic Artist
2001 - 2006: Intern & Production Roles, KESQ Newschannel 3
AWARDS & HONORS
2024 - Rode People’s Choice Creator of the Year, Gear & Tech Reviews
2022 - YouTube Silver Creator Award
2020 - Riverside County Teacher of the Year
2019 - Digicom Outstanding Digital Storytelling Classroom
2019 - Desert Sands District Teacher of the Year
2018 - Indio High School Teacher of the Year
2017 - Digicom X Award for Digital Filmmaking
2016 - Digicom Golden Reel of Excellence
2016 - California Partnership Lighthouse Academy
2015 - Apple Distinguished Program (Digital Arts Technology Academy)
2015 - California Partnership Lighthouse Academy
2015 - California Student Media Festival Documentary Category Winner (2)
2015 - White House Student Film Festival Honorable Mention
2014 - Students’ Choice top Ten Educator
2014 - California Student Media Festival Best 3D Animation
2014 - White House Student Film Festival Honorable Mention
2014 - California Partnership Lighthouse Academy
2014 - Digicom Golden Reel of Excellence
2013 - Students’ Choice Top Ten Educator
2013 - California Partnership Lighthouse Academy
2012 - Students’ Choice Top Ten Educator
EDUCATION
MA: Education | 2011
Chapman University
Thesis: Effective Implementation of Writing Centers in Secondary School Envrionments
BA: English Literature | 2009 (Honors)
California State University, San Bernardino
Career Technical Education Teaching Credential | 2012
California State University, San Bernardino
Subject Area: Arts, Media, & Entertainment
Single Subject Teaching Credential | 2011
Chapman University
Subject Area: English
SPEAKING, EVENTS, & WORKSHOPS
•2024 - Creator Roundtable: Podcasting 101, B&H Photo
•2024 - From YouTube to the Crease, Locked on Kraken
•2023 - Lessons Learned the Hard Way, Lazy Filmmaker Podcast
•2023 - Part Time to Full Time Creator, Buzzsprout Podcasting
•2022 - Teacher to YouTuber, Golden Hour Podcast
•2021 - Outstanding Branding: Putting the You in YouTube, Ecamm Leap into Live
•2019 - Work Hard, Be Kind, Have Fun: Just Create More, Educating for Careers
•2018 - Do What You Can’t: Empowering Students with Digital Media, Educating for Careers
•2016 - Brand to Expand: Increasing Community Exposure with Creative Media, Educating for Careers
•2015 - Cultivating Creative Culture, Educating for Careers
•2014 - Introduction to Digital Storytelling, Palm Springs USD
•2014 - Focusing Student Creativity, Educating for Careers
•2012 - 2016 - Lighthouse Demo Days and Digital Media Program Outreach/Development, California Partnership Academies
(CA Dept. of Education)
PROFESSIONAL GROUPS & AFFILIATIONS
•Leadership Coachella Valley, Class of 2025
•California DECA (Marketing, Business, & Entrepreneurship)
•Public Arts Commission, City of Indio (Chair & Commissioner)
•OneFuture Arts, Media, and Entertainment Council
•Desert Sands CTE Committee on Assignment
•California Partnership Academies (CPA)
•SkillsUSA Arts, Media, and Entertainment
•California Partnership Lighthouse Academy, CA Dept. of Education
COURSES TAUGHT
•Advanced Digital Media Production
•Intermediate Digital Media Production
•Intro to Digital Media Produciton
•Media Literacy
•Contemporary Media
•Broadcast Production
•Journalism I & II
•Yearbook Production
•Expository Reading & Writing
•English I & II
•Strategic Reading
CURRICULUM DESIGN
•Advanced Digital Media Production
12th Grade Capstone Course
UC A-G & CTE Approved
•Intermediate Digital Media Production
11th Grade Course
UC A-G & CTE Approved
•Intro to Digital Media Production
9th Grade Exploratory Course
UC A-G & CTE Approved
•Contemporary Media
9th Grade Exploratory Course
UC A-G & CTE Approved
