I am energized by helping students get excited about analyzing literature and honing their writing skills. I enjoy combining creativity and analysis in literature lessons, encouraging students to think, discuss, and write their own deeper-than-surface-level insights. One of the great joys in my life is helping students find their "voice" in my creative writing classes. I also love helping my students develop the life skills necessary for college and career in my college/ career path elective.
Living and working in the amazing country of Papua New Guinea from 2002-2015 has stretched me in many ways, helping me to broaden my worldview and develop cross-cultural skills. I loved the opportunity to teach students from many nations at Ukarumpa International School. I've also taught in a large suburban public high school in Ohio, home-schooled my own children for 3 years, and am now teaching at a public charter school in SW Dallas, UME Preparatory Academy.
I'm a cellist, and I love playing with orchestras or chamber groups and accompanying worship music. I also enjoy supporting my husband's ethnomusicology work and raising three creative, intelligent sons.