Combining my passions for the environment, shared knowledge, and serving the community.
MY JOURNEY
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious". - Albert Einstein
There was never a path that could lead me away from nature or justice. I was the kid who picked worms off the sidewalk and put them back in the grass. I am still that kid. I am grateful to my family for taking me camping before I could crawl, and making me play outside. I am grateful for family hikes, our vegetable garden, and the freedom to roam wild at my grandparent's country house. I am grateful that as a teen, my parents moved us to Brazil where I saw another side of the world. I am grateful they encouraged my curiosity, my willfulness, and my empathy. All of this has led me here; through volunteer and citizen science work, I knew that I wanted to work towards improving my local community and environment. As a recent graduate of both Environmental Studies and Community Change, I am excited to be on my way to a fulfilling and meaningful career.
WORK HISTORY
Objective
Employment through which I can provide service to the community and to the environment, and to find joy in its performance.
DEARBORN SHINES SCHOOL GARDEN COORDINATOR
June 2018 - Present
Coordinator of installation and programming for schoolyard gardens at Dearborn Public Schools. Responsibilities include procurement of materials, organization of installation events and training workshops, volunteer recruitment, social media engagement, construction of physical elements, post-installation maintenance, and outreach with Dearborn Public Schools employees.
ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATION / NATURALIST
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, DEARBORN
Aug 2017 – Present
Present and create in-person and online interpretive programs for school-age children to adults. Young Naturalists program Team Leader. Sprouts Children's Gardening program leader. Social media team. Acting coordinator for Rouge River Water Festival 2018, 2019.
SUSTAINABILITY INTERN
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, DEARBORN
May 2018 – April 2019
Participate in and manage the Center’s sustainability initiatives, including its Community Organic Garden, mushroom garden, rain gardens, bee yard, and composting project. Coordination with the Dearborn SHINES for Healthy Kids! initiative for vegetable garden installation at Dearborn Schools. Present personal statement for Science Exploration Day. Development of vermicomposting program and demonstration for preschoolers at the U of M Dearborn Early Childhood Education Center.
RETAIL ASSOCIATE
LIVE EDGE DETROIT
Oct 2016 -Â June 2018
Live Edge Detroit salvages logs from tree removal jobs around Metro-Detroit that would otherwise have been turned into mulch or firewood, and mill them into usable materials, like beams, live edge slabs and household goods.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, LANDSCAPE/PLANT HEALTH CARE
MIKE'S TREE SURGEONS
Apr 2002 - June 2018
2003 Technician of the Year. Provided highest level of care to over 200 landscapes annually, utilizing IPM techniques to diagnose and treat diseases and conditions, ornamental pruning, and proper planting. Trained staff, improved efficiency of office procedures, excelled in client relations, retail operations, garden club talks.
PROJECT ASSISTANT
RELEAF MICHIGAN
June 2013 - Sep 2014
Community outreach education and instruction in proper pruning practices.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, DEARBORN
2016 - 2020
Graduated with High Distinction. GPA 3.97, Dean's list. 2020 Difference Maker Award. 2020 Environmental Studies Honors Scholar.
MAJOR - Environmental Studies; Naturalist. Degree focus on ecological and biological processes and systems, environmental ethics and issues.
Relevant courses: Concepts of Environmentalism, Field Biology, Ornithology, Weather and Climate, Environmental Interpretation, Environmental Instrumentation and Analysis, Plant Ecology.
MINOR - Community Change.
Relevant courses: Power and Privilege in SE Michigan, Urban Geography, History of Civil Rights in America, Revitalizing Cities, Community Organizing for Health, Public Communication and Culture Studies.
OAKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
AUBURN HILLS, MI
Associate in Applied Science - Landscape Horticulture/Technology
Graduated with Honors; Magna Cum Laude.
Degree focus on urban landscapes, Integrated Pest Management, plant biology and landscaping technology.
2000-2002
ROCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL
ROCHESTER HILLS, MI
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1997-1998
GRADED - THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
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1994-1997