After being immersed in the library's summer reading program and BOOK IT!, I became a lifelong reader. I remember my fourth grade teacher reading aloud book series to the class, and then we would write in response to her unique journal prompts. These early opportunities led me to earn my grades 6-12 English Language Arts teaching license through Indiana Wesleyan's Transition to Teaching program and eventually a master's degree in secondary teaching. I spent the next nineteen years teaching high school and junior high school English classes in Wisconsin and then back home to Indiana.

During that time, I especially enjoyed experiencing lightbulb or aha moments alongside my students. Encouraging learners as independent readers and writers brought me joy, and now I want to witness those lightbulb moments and share my love of literature with online scholars.

When I am not reading, I enjoy fitness and travel. My sand volleyball team plays six months of the year. After visiting Alaska and Utah this spring, I have set foot in all 50 states of the United States! It became a goal to achieve this once I realized how many states I had travelled to on childhood summer road trips. I am thinking about my next international destination as I write this.

I have tutored both in person and virtually, so I am excited to support students outside the classroom, offering the extra guidance needed to achieve. Join me in the journey to boost confidence in literary analysis and writing skills.