I've taught ten years as a middle school teacher, eighteen years as a high school teacher, and eighteen years as a college instructor. My areas of instruction have included American literature, British literature, composition (basic, advanced and theory of composition), AP Literature, AP Language, International Baccalaureate World Literature, International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge, children's literature, adolescent literature, writing instruction methods, teaching reading, teaching language arts, linguistics and creative writing. My most recent focus has been in high school English (all levels: academic, general, basic, and honors/AP), linguistics (college), Language Arts Methods (college), composition, writing instruction methods, reading instruction methods and creative writing. I have published fiction, poetry and an article in _The ALAN Review_ on Francesca Lia Block.
My teaching style is eclectic. I try to get students involved in many ways in my classroom through all styles of learning.
Golden V Award--top students pick teachers who inspired them most (2010, 2011,2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) College Start Instructor of the Year (2000, 2001, 2002)--Virginia Intermont College Adult Degree Studies Interdisciplinary Studies Instructor of the Year (2001, 2003)--Virginia Intermont College Adult Degree Studies
West Virginia University: BA English, Certificate in Women's Studies West Virginia University: MA English Education with a concentration in writing instruction
I am a member of the Appalachian Writing Project. I have given workshops on "Teaching English on the Block Schedule,' "Argumentative Writing to Prompts," "Writing Instruction Methods for Adult Learners," "Rubric Development for all Disciplines," "Using Rubrics throughout the Writing Process," and "Recent Research in Writing Instruction." I have given these workshops for the Writing Project, our local school district, Virginia Tech, and at a regional conference for teachers whose students excel at state wide testing (perhaps a dubious honor...).
PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Higher Education, Adult Education, Homeschool, Not Grade Specific
English Language Arts, Balanced Literacy, Creative Writing, Writing-Expository, Reading, Grammar, Vocabulary, Specialty, Arts & Music, Drama, ELA Test Prep, For All Subjects, Literature, Study Skills, Short Stories, Writing, Reading Strategies, Writing-Essays, Poetry, Informational Text, Close Reading