Ella's journey into education was inspired by her family. Both of her parents are educators, her sister recently joined the profession, and even her brother—who decided to forge his own path outside of education—inspires her in his own way. 

At SDS, Ella teaches ESOL (English as a Second or Other Language) to 19 students spanning 1st to 12th grade. Her students come from diverse backgrounds, some are domestic students who grew up speaking another language at home, while others hail from countries like Mexico, China, Germany, and Brazil. The linguistic diversity is astounding; Ella has worked with students who speak four languages!

Working in small groups or one-on-one, Ella helps students understand their classwork, teaches English language skills, and guides them through American history and culture. But her role extends far beyond academics. She supports students through culture shock, homesickness, and the challenge of navigating different cultural norms. "I am blown away by everything that our ESOL students juggle every day!" she says.

Ella's own experiences as a language learner give her unique insight into what her students face. During her time at SDS, she fell in love with English and world languages, taking Spanish and French through the AP level. She even had the opportunity to travel to French- and Spanish-speaking countries during her Upper School years. "This allowed me to understand some of the challenges that my students face—and to appreciate how brave they are for being here!" she reflects. She credits former teachers Margaret Sullivan and Ely Flores with influencing her love of language and culture. "They're the best, and SDS is so lucky to have them!"

After earning her BFA in Creative and Professional Writing from Converse University in 2020, Ella is now completing her student teaching credit to officially receive her MAT in Elementary Education. She plans to pursue TESOL certification next, embodying her belief that learning should never stop.

When she's not at school, Ella lives with her partner Natty, their two cats, and their dog. She spends her free time playing video games, reading, writing, or working on crochet and embroidery projects—creative pursuits that keep her balanced and inspired.

For Ella, teaching ESOL is a privilege. "I learn something new from my students every day, and it is always a joy to work with them. I consider myself so lucky to have the opportunity to teach them!"