Founder, Fifth Element Beads, LLC
BA in Fine Art, Azusa Pacific University, 2002
Special Education certification, Southern CT State University 2006
Masters in Learning and Thinking, The Graduate Institute 2017
Professional CT teaching certification in k-12 Special Education
Published art in Fairfield Magazine
When I entered my sophomore year of college at APU I was struggling and had no major. My dad told me, “just major in something you love. Don’t worry about what you’ll do after college. What matters is that you get a college degree and study something you love will help you do that.” It was simple, but some of the best advice I ever got.
After graduating from college with an art degree, I began a career in merchandising and display design. I then became a certified special education teacher in 2005. I was able to apply my creative problem solving skills to develop curriculum and instruction for unique learners. It wasn’t until I had my daughter in 2009 that I realized I couldn’t raise a child in a home without art and I began making more room in my life for creative art-making outside of my job. That was the game changer for me.
I currently teach at a small alternative high school where I am a special education teacher and case manager as well as an art teacher. Our school’s curriculum is based on a creative project-based learning model. I consult with our general education teachers regularly to support them and our students in taking a creative approach to learning. In addition, we teach mindfulness to help support our population of students who are primarily identified as students with emotional disturbances and behavioral challenges.
Additionally, I have started my own jewelry business, Fifth Element Beads. With my ceramics experience at APU and some consultation with my APU mentor, Sue Ney, I began pit firing clay beads to make my jewelry. My mission is not just to make handmade jewelry, but to promote mindfulness.
My unique career is one of my own design. As a senior art student at APU I was required to read the book “Creating a Life Worth Living” by Carol Lloyd. It was because of this book and the insistence of my art professors that I learned to create my own career that included my own art making. I use this book with my students to encourage them to forge their own creative path just the way my art professors at APU encouraged me to do the same.
When I joined the art department my sophomore year, I became a part of a small community that supported me creatively and spiritually with no judgement. Our frequent barbecues were an experience I’ll never forget. We created art together which is always a powerful experience. But, as Bill Catling explained to us, we also broke bread together which connected us in a simple but deep way. We became family.
I will reiterate to students what my dad told me - study what you love, and what my professors taught me - always make room for art.
When I traveled 3,000 miles away from home to attend college I was ready for adventure. I quickly discovered that I was not a person cut out for this kind of adventure. I missed home. I didn’t fit in Southern California, I didn’t fit in at APU. But, I was so glad I stuck it out because I found the support I needed in the art department.
Through my business, Fifth Element Beads, I’ve been able to raise money for breast cancer research, Selective Mutism, Be The Match (national bone marrow registry) and The American Heart Association. Each month we create a fundraiser bracelet for charity. Additionally, when I started Fifth Element Beads I was so moved by the support of friends and strangers. The success of my business, thanks to this support, has allowed me to start a college fund for my daughter - something I never thought I’d do as a single parent. As a result, I started a Fifth Element Beads scholarship to be awarded to a child of a single parent each year.
I started Fifth Element Beads only a year ago. Shortly after I started the business my beads got picked up by the FOX hit The Resident. The lead character, Dr. Conrad Hawkins (played by Matt Czuchry) wears my beads in each episode of season 2. In addition, Matt Czuchry has become one of my biggest supporters by purchasing my beads and wearing them on the red carpet. I am truly grateful to the many people who have supported me on my creative endeavors.
