I obtained my first teaching credential more than 30 years ago. My first teaching job was as a substitute teacher for several years in middle and high schools in Seattle, Washington.

 

Then my husband (a Physics/Chemistry teacher) and I spent 9 years teaching at an English-medium International boarding school in Mussoorie, India. We enjoyed the beauty of the Himalayan foothills, traveling with students throughout India, and the wonderful diversity of the student population - students attended from 17 different countries!

 

After returning to the U.S., I took a break from teaching for a few years, finished my Masters Degree in Education, and was exactly in the right place to join Odyssey as a Founding Teacher in 1999. I completed my National Board Certification in Early Adolescent English Language Arts in 2003. Although I have taught English and History from 6th grade through 12th, middle school is my favorite age to teach!

 

I am a teacher-consultant of the California Writing Project (CSULA), the ISAW program, and the current Chair of the Assembly of National Board Certified Teachers of NCTE, the National Council of Teachers of English. I am also a part-time adjunct professor at CSULA in the Charter College of Education, helping to train new teachers, and have conducted many presentations and workshops at state and national conferences for teachers.

 

I have two grown daughters, both artists. One is a high-fashion shoe designer, and the other is a painter.