I am a professional writer, both fiction and nonfiction. I have taught nonfiction writing for the last 20 years. My students learn that although the format for essay writing is strict and the rules ar... e unvaried; the topics to be chosen for writing are infinite! The sky is not the limit; the sky "is the floor!" When students enter my classroom, no matter what they feel or think about writing, they come out winners. They discover that even essay writing can be fun and expressive. My qualifications are as follows: I have a B.A. in English and Theater and received a full 4 year scholarship to the University of CT. I am also a University of CT. scholar. I also have an M.S. in special education from Central CT State University where I received a full 2 year fellowship for my M.S. I am certified to teach K throuogh 12th grade. I am also a member of The National Honor Society. I am listed on my Indiana Teaching License as coded- A Highly Qualified Teacher. Both by my credentials and by the high degree of success I have achieved with my students over the last 20 years, I feel very qualified to teach essay writing as a subject. read more

I live in Terre Haute IN., but I have moved many many times in my life. I am, in a sense, a gypsy artist who loves to teach. I have a passion for all kinds of knowledge both physical and metaphysical.... My hobbies are anything and everything to do with the performing arts, graphic arts, and literary arts. Living in the Midwest with my two cats black and brindled and my husband. It is peaceful here, a sense of timelessness. The spaciousness of the Midwest encourages me to think and philosophize about the nature of learning, and of course, about telling stories. I see a direct connection between listening to stories and competencies in reading. As a special ed. and English teacher, as well as a storyteller, I see listening and reading not only important and vital to learning in language arts. But these oral and printed stories teach important life lessons. They boost confidence in each student. Furthermore, they lift the listener or reader out of the ordinary world into the heroic world, regardless the listener's or reader’s age. Because we all need to discover our purpose in life; we all need to be heroes of our own story. As an experienced teacher and professional storyteller, as well as a Special Education teacher, I see a direct connection between listening to stories and competencies in reading. As a special ed. and English teacher, as well as a storyteller, I see listening made reading not only important and vital to learning in language arts. But these oral and printed stories teach important life lessons. They boost confidence in each student. I have helped many children and adults learn to read. with the art of storytelling. When this is achieved, storytelling and reading opens up a world of wonder and knowledge.read more