New Kid: A Graphic Novel, a Condition, and a Book Club

Stories are magical teachers. They open our minds and hearts. They remind us of our similarities and introduce us to our differences. They comfort us when our abilities or identities have been misunderstood. They entertain us. They ignite us into action. 

As an educator, I bring 15+ years of experience working with stories and storytellers as an editor, writer, librarian, and educator. 

I have a Bachelor of Arts in English & Writing, a Master's in Creative Writing (MFA), and a Master's in Library & Information Science (MLIS). 

In addition to Outschool, I'm on faculty at a university's English department. I teach students earning their M.A. in English and Creative Writing. 

Below is more information about my teaching style and classes. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions. 

Teaching Style: Inclusive & Energetic 

I teach from an inclusive and neurodivergent-affirming perspective. This means I believe neurodivergence is a difference not a deficit and support accommodations and ongoing education for all, including myself, about neurodivergence. I believe neurodivergence is nuanced; one size doesn't fit all (i.e., "If you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person).  

I show up to class with a lifelong enthusiasm for literature and writing. I incorporate modern classroom technology, including learning management systems, educational and creative platforms, video clips, online quiz games, and individual and group activities. 

I also ask students a lot of questions. Students are encouraged to provide strong reasons and textual evidence to support their answers and develop their higher-level thinking skills, such as creativity, evaluation, and analysis. 

Teaching Philosophy
How we learn impacts how we experience the world; how we experience the world impacts our learning. Please let me know how I can support your child's learning experience. 

I believe students, regardless of age, learn best in a group setting when they feel comfortable around the instructor and engaged with the subject matter and other students. We only think deeply about that which interests us, and more often than not, our interest is born or deepened from our connections with others. 

Diversity 
Diversity is celebrated in my courses, and all learning styles are welcome. Diverse experiences and identities create a more dynamic classroom and world. I hold social and academic inclusivity close to my heart. 

Publications
I'm the author of three hi/lo history books for kids (Flashpoints, Full Tilt Press & Lerner Publishing, 2020). My other publications appeared in various formats throughout North America. Formats include national and local newspapers, magazines, literary journals, public radio, anthologies, and collections. Genres include short fiction, narrative essays, literary and arts journalism, architectural criticism, parenting, humor, how-to manuals, marketing materials, and artist/author profiles.

Service Work 
From 2020 - 2024, I volunteered as a Chapter Leader for a global nonprofit that offers compassionate, active listening in public spaces as a path to social health. I've also volunteered over the years as a grant writer for nonprofits, as an annual creative writing contest judge for the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, and held various volunteer positions for years at Vancouver's Readers & Writers Festival and numerous music festivals. 

Parent
After my son completed kindergarten, I decided that home-based learning was the best choice for us. He did this until seventh grade, minus one year off in 5th grade while we lived in a new state and he attended a small school. Today, as a middle schooler, he thrives academically and socially at a private, independent school he attends thanks to the generosity of others and their faith in his abilities. My approach to homeschooling was a hybrid of structured and self-directed learning supported by a community offering many group learning options. Reading, Leggos, and self-directed projects took center stage at home during those years. 


Group Classes & 1:1

1:1 preK-2 Early Literacy 
I draw on my professional experience as a children's librarian and early literacy educator to help your child develop those crucial early literacy skills. 

1:1 K-12 ELA 
Tell me about your learner, and I'll design a short-term or long-term program that suits their learning needs and interests. 

1:1 Write Your Novel for Teens 
Perfect for the young adult who considers pursuing creative writing as a profession or lifelong interest. 

Book Clubs: ELA classes in disguise 
My "book clubs" complement any English Language Arts curriculum. I foster a joy of reading and respect for the craft of story while encouraging higher-level thinking and close reading skills.  Students discuss stories as a group while learning and applying literary terms and techniques among other ELA benchmarks for their age group. 

Each week, I post an optional to-do list. The list includes various ELA learning opportunities relevant to that week's class, such as further reading, vocabulary, writing prompts, activities, games, websites, video clips, and more. 

Creative Writing Workshop 
This ongoing 60-minute class is for young creative writers (ages 9 - 13) eager to share their writing with others and expand their inspiration and knowledge bank. Each class includes at least one creative writing prompt with in-class writing and share time, one brief lesson about a literary term or technique, or one brief lesson about a genre and its defining elements (e.g., SciFi's dominant element is advanced technology).   

Teens: This 90-minute class is designed as a creative writing workshop for young adult writers (ages 13-16) who are ready to share their work and learn about the craft of stories within a positive group dynamic.  Students learn best practices for giving and receiving feedback in a workshop setting and story elements such as the role of setting, rising tension, and plot structure.   

PreK Storytimes 
My playful preK (ages 3 - 6) themed story times are guided by my background in birth-to-youth services as a children's librarian. I use books, felt board stories, songs, and rhymes to encourage early literacy skills and online learning skills. We always dance! 

Sunday Night Game Club (ages 12 - 14): 
This is in an ongoing, social class with a welcoming core group of neurodivergent and neurotypical learners. We geek out on All The Stories in our lives: books, movies, TV shows, personal anecdotes, etc. At the start of class, we share our favorite stories from the week and answer a question that warms up our imaginations before playing a story game together. Please note: This class can get quite silly and loud, and, sometimes, we interrupt each other; it could be challenging for students with hearing loss or noise sensitivities. The class requires an ability to read and write at approximately the 3rd-grade level and the ability and willingness to have video on and speak loudly enough on camera for others to hear. 

Thank you for considering my classes! 

Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions or information about your learner. I'm always happy to offer a first free class and discount coupons as needed. 

"An open heart is an open mind." - Dalai Lama 

"Labels belong on soup cans." - Unknown