I have been teaching for nearly 20 years, and focusing on forensic science classes and programs for kids since 2005.  For the past five years, I have also been teaching a variety of online courses, including space science, climate change, writing, introduction to law, constitutional law, history, unsolved crimes, U.S. elections, U.S. government, and geography.  I have a J.D. (Law) from the University of Michigan, as well as B.A. and M.A. degrees in history, and extensive graduate education in geography and forensic science.  I spent 11 years as an attorney focusing on evidence, immigration for world leaders in medicine and science, and asylum for refugees.  I have also taught at the college level since 2000, in subjects including atmospheric science, physical geography, human geography, U.S. history, Humanities, criminal justice, forensic science, law and ideology, and unsolved crimes.  I currently teach forensic science and unsolved crimes at SUNY Empire State College.  I have written a course manual for forensic science which is used by high school and college students, and has been picked up by a college in Europe.   

My teaching style can best be described as a Socratic quest for thought.  By this, I mean that the most important thing to me is to get my students thinking.  It is much more important for a student to develop their critical and analytical thinking skills than to recite a list of facts.  The greatest comment I ever got on a student evaluation was a college student who wrote that I was the first teacher who really wanted him to think.  I recognize the differences in abilities, interests, and backgrounds in my students, and tailor my questions and challenges to maximize each student's experience.  

I'd like to share a few more details about me to explain more of who I am.  I am a writer, and I have 7 volumes of a kids' fantasy series called the Guardians of Elestra.  Homeschooled kids who are interested get the first two chapters of a new book before it is published to give me feedback, and they learn about the revising and editing processes.  I'm also a homeschooling parent (since 2002) and I lead groups focused on homeschooling with chronic illness.  Our family has had to deal with long-term health issues, and I want to help others who are just getting their feet wet in this area as well.  Finally, I have training in voice acting, which is another area of teaching in which my course offerings are expanding.