Background: I am originally from Detroit, Michigan, but grew up in Adrian which is close to the University of Michigan. I attended Adrian High School and was involved in sports, especially track and field, school government and languages. I decided to take a different trek in college by running on my own and being involved in PR work for Alma College's radio station. I also spent a semester going to school at the A'liance Francaise in Paris, France. I came to North Carolina via San Antonio, Texas where I began teaching in Early Childhood for the first three years of my career. After moving to Brevard in the late 80’s, I married Eli Dodson. We now have two daughters and 4 grandchildren. While teaching at Brevard Middle School for 22 years teaching 6-8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies I developed several programs such as social media within the classroom and the Pre-AP program in language arts. I taught ELA at Brevard High School for the last ten years. While teaching in Brevard, I also taught reading and writing courses at Blue Ridge Community College. I recently transferred to Rosman High School and will continue to teach English.

My Schedule for

Fall Semester 2021

• Block 1: English 12 Honors

• Block 2: Planning

• Block 3: English 11

• Block 4: English 12

Office Hours: 7:30-8:00 am daily & 3:10-3:30 Wednesday & Friday

Google Meet: 3:15 Tuesday & Thursday Weekly

Educational Philosophy and Method of Instruction: Experience teaching different levels and age groups over the years has formed my approach to how children learn. Education is a personal journey towards problem solving through inquiry and collaboration with others. This collaboration allows students to be personally involved with his/her learning. It generates curiosity and challenges thinking. My role has changed from a direct instructor to a facilitator where I help guide students with their thinking, reading, and writing. I accomplish this through a variety of teaching methods including mini-lessons on rhetorical modes, vocabulary development, grammar instruction, seminar, and project based learning. Literacy is an integral part of this process that is addressed through the study of reading and writing strategies, oral presentations and the study of the visual arts such as film and art work.