About Ellie

Academic Background, Work, & Volunteer Experiences

I received my Master's in School Counseling from the University of Virginia (2021). I hold a second Master's in Social Foundations of Education, also from UVA (2019). My undergraduate training was in Psychology and Education with a focus on student support services at Bucknell University (2015). I have also been shaped by an array of work and volunteer experiences that span K-12 education, undergraduate student services, human services, non-profit, food service, and summer camp settings.

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With my background in Social Foundations, I am particularly attuned to the ways that race, ethnicity, culture, social class, gender, and other social identities shape students' experiences and access to opportunities in schools. One of my operating assumptions as a school counselor is that there are durable inequities in our schools and our society as a whole. I believe that as a school counselor, it is my job to develop and implement comprehensive programs that address the needs of all students, with particular emphasis on promoting equity.

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Personal Background

I was born in Virginia and raised in southern Maryland, right along the Chesapeake Bay. I am a Panamanian American and I am passionate about the ways that culture shapes our norms, assumptions, values, and behaviors. I have a uniquely strong appreciation of Danish culture from my semester studying abroad in Copenhagen. In my home life, I enjoy spending time with my husband and cat, going to restaurants and farmer's markets, cooking/baking, hitting the gym, and spending time in nature.