An author, poet and occasional artist, I hail from the Chicago metropolitan area. In 1999 I graduated summa cum laude with a BA in History and Secondary Education and a minor in English at Northeastern Illinois University. I've also taken 30 graduate credit hours in teaching composition and am currently working on an MFA in creative writing.
While teaching in the Chicago public schools, I facilitated a service learning group with students who remodeled a homeless shelter and helped young residents with their homework. In 2005, I moved to Phoenix and taught high school--mentoring the speech team, judging the district poetry contest, as well as hosting a community writing workshop at a local coffee house. In 2009 I moved to Los Angeles to be closer to family and taught English composition, food history and speech to culinary students at Le Cordon Bleu. I currently teach English, history and government at an alternative school in the Los Angeles area. I love helping students find their way through a subject--whether it is searching for initial understanding or polishing their skills.
Connecting with students who felt lost in the over-crowded public school system changed my life. I've been teaching a combination of English composition, creative writing, literature, speech, history, and/or career success for the past twelve years. I believe that every student has a unique and important view of the world and the power within themselves to facilitate change. My students’ strength and humanity--whether in the face of adversity or just trying to find their way--is a continuing inspiration to her.
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