Throughout my K-12 experience, I was a poor match for traditional educational settings. 

When I attended 1st grade in an open-concept public school it was immediately apparent that I had a sensitivity to stimulation. My dysregulated nervous system resulted in challenging behaviors for my family and teachers alike. I was perceived as dyslexic and described by my teachers as a cold lifeless mass at the end of each school day. I was burning out due to the demands of elementary school and simultaneously bored out of my mind. I couldn’t retain any information that didn't excite me, and because of that, I made very slow progress. 

​

Many interventions were attempted but I continued to regress. 

​

After switching schools in second grade my days began to follow the same pattern of being a neurotypical-masking, active class participant in the morning, to a completely burned-out and explosive child by lunch, then spending the rest of the day in detention with the janitor or principal. I can truthfully state, I spent a higher percentage of my time in 3rd-grade sweeping, collecting trash, and talking with the janitor, Romeo, than in my classroom. This led me to develop a deep empathy for everyone I saw struggling within these systems. ​​

​

Despite my inability to cope within school, I excelled in self-paced and passion-driven education. ​In pursuit of my interests, I leaned on mentors rather than classes. Through my devotion to what I deemed valuable, I have grown a diverse and eclectic skillset that has propelled me through many experiances.

​

After graduating with a welding certificate from South Seattle Community College in 2020, I spent 2 years as a CWB-certified aluminum boat builder on Vancouver Island. During this time I exclusively ate protein that I had procured from the ocean. When I wasn’t building a boat, I devoted my time to being a freediving and spearfishing guide and chef for a local resort. Although the profession I had found myself in was diverse and stimulating, I lacked fulfillment and purpose. I knew I had to return to my community.