The Author's Chair

An educator with thirty years of experience, I have taught writers workshop as a classroom teacher, led professional learning sessions at the local and state levels, and have worked as a school effectiveness and literacy specialist in both Georgia and Hawaii. Currently, I am blessed to teach writers' workshop in a sixth grade classroom in Rome, Georgia, where my passion for writing and my belief in students are at the forefront of my work.

I am a firm believer in the workshop model and that empowering students to do the work of authors is the crux of our work as writing teachers. This demands a level of immersion in the process that goes beyond typical writing assignments and into the world real writers live - exploring topics, writing about our passions, seeking publication and honing our crafts together in a collaborative of learners. I firmly believe there is no more powerful way to teach or to learn this craft. I believe that the most powerful data we have - classroom level writing data - is frequently overlooked while we focus on numbers that tell us very little about how our students learn and what they need. The materials in my units and rubrics are designed to help the teacher and the student understand next steps as well as strengths.

Summerville Middle School Teacher of the Year (circa 2000) Chattooga County Teacher of the Year (circa 2001) Publications: Chicken Soup for the Soul (four anthologies and a television production), Stories for the Heart (two anthologies - Multnomah Publishers), A Father A Hero (Tyndale House Publishers)

I have a masters degree in educational leadership, a bachelors in English and several add-ons for certification, including Teacher Support Specialist and Reading (P-12). I have completed multiple professional learning sessions across the years. The most memorable opportunities including learning and breathing in the same room with master teachers like Donald Graves, Nancie Atwell,and Kylene Beers.

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