The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Novel Study and Movie Adaptation

Reflecting on my early years of learning, what stands out most in my memories are the subjects I found joy in, the teachers who made learning a delightful experience, and the freedom to explore topics that fascinated me. These are the very aspects of homeschooling that I cherish while educating my children. My kids pursue classes they genuinely enjoy by tailoring their education to their interests and seamlessly integrating various aspects of learning into their favorite subjects. At the same time, I have the opportunity to teach subjects that I'm passionate about. It's truly a win-win situation.

I completed my MFA in Writing for Children at Simmons University in Boston, MA, where I honed my skills and expanded my knowledge in this specialized field. This program has allowed me to deepen my understanding and expertise in writing for young audiences, an area I am passionate about. While at Simmons, I finished a few manuscripts (one for young adults, two picture books, and a middle-grade novel), which I am now looking to publish.
 
I love learning, researching, telling stories, and creating new and exciting worlds that my kids and I visit often. When they were young, we would lie in bed and tell stories "in the round." What are stories in the round? This is when one family member would start a story, and then the next person would add to that story, and so on until we finished the story or laughed too hard to continue. This is why my daughter now loves telling her own stories, has created a whole new universe for many of her characters, and plans to take on Marvel and DC.
I am also an avid animal lover and have been since childhood. This is why I decided to get my Bachelor of Science in something that I truly loved - animals. While working at a humane society in Vermont, I found a degree program created by the Humane Society of the United States. I now have a B.S. in Humane Leadership from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Some of my classes highlight animals, such as "The Pawprints of History 1 & 2" and "Civil War Dogs."

I thrive in interactive teaching environments. I value students' active participation in the learning process and cherish being an integral part of their educational journey. I particularly enjoy helping them discover the connections between lessons taught by different educators, enabling them to see the bigger picture and making the learning process enjoyable and engaging for both the students and myself. Witnessing the wealth of knowledge children possess and having the privilege of enlightening and learning from them is an awe-inspiring experience.

One quote by George Santayana profoundly resonates with me: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." This quote encapsulates the essence of why I hold a deep appreciation for history, not just any history. I am particularly drawn to the peculiar and fascinating aspects that often go unnoticed. Moreover, I deeply value delving into the multifaceted aspects of history, uncovering and highlighting the invaluable contributions and rich experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including women, children, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, and more. Throughout my four years of teaching history, I have pursued various courses at esteemed institutions such as Simmons University, Duquesne University, UMASS, and CCV in Vermont.

I have diverse interests spanning various subjects, including storytelling, intriguing history, captivating geography, animal studies, novel analysis, and exploring TV and movies. I am eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to engage with you in our class!