Thesis Statements 101: Hands-On Writing Workshop to Demystify Thesis Statements

On Outschool, I teach classes on writing, literature, and learning to engage with the environment in caring and sustainable ways. I specialize in supporting middle school and high school students develop learning and life skills that will prepare them for the next stages of their education including high school and college prep. My passion is talking to learners of all ages about books and writing in order to help them understand their places in the world and how they can leave their marks.

With extensive classroom teaching experience, I'm ready to help your learners tackle every aspect of reading and writing. I have a PhD in English & Women's from the University of Michigan and a B.A. (Hons) in English from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. I currently teach at Tufts University in the English department and have taught at University of Michigan and Brandeis University. I have taught freshman writing & composition classes for many semesters both in person and online, as well as a variety of classes in Women's Studies. I also have experience working as a writing tutor. I've had formal teacher training from the University of Michigan, including intergroup dialogue training for cultivating safe and productive classroom spaces when teaching challenging subjects and discussing identity and oppression. My literature training includes a rigorous education in classic British literature from 1700 to the present day, American literature from 1700 to the present day, contemporary literature, and women's writing throughout history.

I love helping students troubleshoot their essays and overcome fear and apathy around their writing. My students frequently tell me that working with me at every stage of essay writing has helped them enjoy - and even love - the writing process and get past stressful writer's block. My students have gone on to win and be nominated for writing awards and publish their writing. As a writer, myself, I'm actively practicing new writing skills everyday, so I can share the ups and downs of writing and literary analysis with my students.

I have special interest and experience in supporting international learners and disabled students. Having been an international student, I have personal experience with adjusting to a new school system and can relate to the social stresses of adapting to a different culture and home while trying to be an excellent student. I am also experienced in supporting students with mental and physical disabilities and chronic illnesses in having fulfilling and stress-free learning. Supporting my students' mental wellbeing and making my classes accessible for shy and socially anxious learners is of the utmost importance in my teaching style.

During middle and high school, I was homeschooled through several different online distance learning platforms. I know firsthand how important it is for online teachers to develop genuine social connections with their students in order to ensure engagement with, retention of, and interest in the class material.

In addition to my academic career, I am also a published writer and an artist and illustrator. I love to write about and draw natural environments and all of the animals in my life. In my free time, I like to read mystery and dystopian novels, hike in nature with my dog, and cook vegetarian food. My co-teacher, Gracie, is my beloved retired racing greyhound. If we're lucky, she might just make an appearance during your class!