Born and raised in Boston, MA in a largely Capeverdean Community, I was fortunate to be surrounded by so many like me. My family really impressed upon me that our culture lives through us. We have to continue culture, language and traditions from the Mother Land of Cabo Verde. I didn't speak English until I started school at the age of 5. As I went through school I noticed the impacts that teachers had on children. One positive word made students smile, just as a negative word diminished their being. At an early age, I started writing, things like diaries, silly poetry and stories and it continued throughout school. In the seventh grade, an English teacher told me that my writing was terrible and that writing is not for me. Although it crushed me, I knew that I had it within me to keep going with my writing and to do just what was intrinsic to me. I became a teacher because I wanted to change the trajectory of children like me, whose parents may work hard to support them, but didn't know how to navigate the system. Within my community I stay involved to support families access resources that strengthen education and positive lifestyles.

Alongside teaching Science for the Boston Public Schools, I am a copy editor for Mili Mila Inc., which published the first of its kind Capeverdean Dictionary by Manuel Goncalves. I am currently editing my children's book, and completing my memoir.