I am certified to teach English Language Arts (grades 6-12). My target age group is middle school because that is where young students first begin to write with individuality, style, and purpose. I enjoy helping students improve their grammar and reading skills, and I also enjoy helping them improve their study skills. I believe writing is a vital skill that anyone can learn, a skill that can carry you far in life, regardless of the career path you choose. I earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from LSU-Baton Rouge in 1983, and I earned a master of arts in teaching (English) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2022. During my 36 years as a journalist, I worked at nine newspapers in four states, including The Times in Shreveport, La.; The Advocate in Baton Rouge, La.; the Miami Herald in Miami, Fla.; and three Alabama dailies (the Mobile Press-Register, Montgomery Advertiser, and Tuscaloosa News). I have also worked part-time as a substitute teacher. My hobbies are reading, writing, singing, sewing, and baking.