Biography
I serve as an adjunct professor at Alliant University and as an ERMHS Program Specialist with the Lake Elsinore Unified School District, supporting students with disabilities across academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs. With 20 years of experience in school psychology, I bring expertise in assessment, consultation, counseling, crisis response, and systems-level intervention planning, along with a strong background in team leadership and strengthening service delivery through data-informed decision-making and collaboration.
My work centers on practical, defensible practices, high-quality assessment, measurable intervention planning, and the development and implementation of functional behavior assessments/behavior intervention plans within trauma-informed, student-centered frameworks. I also have experience providing virtual school-based mental health services, including individual, group, and parent counseling, as well as record review and assessment support. These experiences shape my teaching with a consistent emphasis on ethics, fidelity of implementation, and real-world application.
Professional Interests
- Evidence-based mental health intervention in schools (Tier 1–3 supports)
- Supporting students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD), including distance/virtual learning contexts
- Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) and behavior intervention planning
- Trauma-informed practices and de-escalation/crisis prevention
- School-based counseling (individual, group, and parent counseling)
- Ethical, defensible psychoeducational and mental health assessment practices
Education and Certifications
Terminal Degree: PhD, Walden University, Dissertation: Teachers’ Experiences Serving Students with EBD in Distance Learning ; Additional Education: MS, School Psychology, National University; BS, Sociology, Biola University; Credentials/Certifications: Preliminary Administrative Services Credential, California State University, San Bernardino; Certified Crisis Prevention Institute Trainer; Certified PEERS Program Trainer; Certified Boys Town Parent Trainer – Common Sense Parenting; Certified Positive Environments, Network of Trainers Trainer; Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential; Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis
Courses
PPS 72400:AdvancedCounseling & Therapeutic Techniques and PPS 61240 Human Diversity
Scholarship & Contributions to the Field
- Completed doctoral research on educators’ experiences serving students with EBD in distance learning.
- ERMHS Program Specialist: program development/management and evaluation of school-based mental health supports.
- Provides professional development, team facilitation, and coaching to strengthen implementation fidelity across sites.
- Leads and supports crisis response, coordination of services, and school-based mental health problem-solving.
- Delivered virtual school-based mental health services through PresenceLearning supporting access and continuity of care.
- Applies data-driven decision-making to improve intervention planning and student outcomes.
- Trains staff in de-escalation and crisis prevention as a Crisis Prevention Institute Certified Trainer.
- Implements and trains evidence-based social skills supports as a PEERS Program Certified Trainer.
- Professional affiliation and participation in the field through National Association of School Psychologists, California Association of School Psychologists, and Riverside Association of School Psychologists.
- Bilingual professional practice (English/Spanish) supporting culturally responsive collaboration with families and teams.”