American poet and scholar Mark Van Doren wrote, "The art of teaching, is the art of assisting discovery." That is the kind of teacher I aspire to be. I want to help my students be confident in the joy in learning. My own path has included many learning opportunities. I earned an honors degree in English from the University of Connecticut (go Huskies!), and went on to work as a journalist for 13 years. Talk about a learning experience! I conducted research and interviews about education, local government, businesses large and small, and even the potato industry! I decided to become a teacher and earned my teaching certification from the University of Maine-Presque Isle, and then my Master's degree in English from Central Connecticut State University. I have taught American Literature, AP Literature and Composition, Journalism, World Literature, Creative Writing, and reading and writing workshops. The greatest joy I have received in all this work and when a student (or adult) suddenly has that "a-ha!" moment. Let me help you find your own "a-ha!" moment.