I have been a public school teacher, a director of three social justice organizations, a diversity trainer and consultant, a university professor, a tutor, a writer and a life-long learner. I have often juggled several of these positions at a time and have loved the variety, balance, and stimulation as well as the opportunities for personal and intellectual growth.

My consulting work has allowed me to travel throughout the U.S. I've been to every state except Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska and hope to add those states to a perfect record in the next few years.

I have also had the rare experience of receiving grants to travel to Israel and Palestine three times. I learned from my rich, rewarding and often troubling observations and conversations than I ever could from news media. I learned about the complexities of that troubled area in the world from extensive reading before I arrived and much more from my encounters with human rights workers, taxi drivers, laborers, waiters and waitresses, business owners, and other people on both sides of the wall.

Much of the work I've done in the U.S. and in the Middle East has taught me so much about the complexity of people and the diversity of the experiences that contribute to who we are, what we value, what we believe, what we love, and what we fear. I am committed to continuing to "unlearn" stereotypes and make that a priority in my professional work and personal relationships.

I love the process of teaching and learning. Most days I learn as much as I teach. I have an off-beat sense of humor that I bring to my encounters in the classroom and to individualized tutoring. Learning can be serious, rigorous, rewarding, challenging, and successful. It can also incorporate a lighthearted touch with a good dose of humor and fun.

I grew up in the St. Louis area in Olivette and raised my family in St. Louis City and University City. My three stepchildren attended Magnet Schools in St. Louis Public schools and my two younger children attended the University City public schools.

I currently live in the Grand Arts District in the City in a building that is designated as an artists' loft. I love the adventure of living in a building with so much human diversity and so many talented artists.

I am a retired professor, a published author, a custom jewelry designer, and the Coordinator of the Artists' Collective in my building.

I am excited about beginning this new adventure of teaching and learning with Varsity Tutors.