Concrete Thoughts

My educational experience has taken me from South Florida to England and back again. I currently hold a Master of Arts from the University of South Florida (including 23 hours of completed graduate coursework in literature) and a Masters of Education from Florida Atlantic University. I also worked with the University of Brighton, completing courses in Shakespeare, while completing my first graduate degree.

I am truly dedicated to creating a supportive and active learning environment, whether online or in the classroom. I firmly believe that the study of literature, writing, and rhetoric should inspire inquiry and lifelong learning.

The Florida Department of Education designated me as a “High Impact” teacher for my success with students in grades 9-12. In 2016-17, I was chosen as Palm Beach county’s “Innovative Educator” (Technology Matrix, Adaption category). I am currently a Level I Google-certified educator as well, allowing me to seamlessly integrate with CANVAS, Blackboard, and similar learning /LMS systems. I recently earned full credentials in effective online teaching from The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), demonstrating my commitment to a students’ first philosophy. I am dedicated to continually improving my own growth mindset and skill set, as well as improving the growth mindset and skill sets of my students.

* M.A. - University of South Florida (including 23+ hours of completed graduate coursework in literature) * M.Ed. - Florida Atlantic University * B.A. - University of South Florida

In addition to my work currently as an adjunct with Palm Beach State College, I teach Advanced Placement Literature and AICE at the Alexander Dreyfoos School of the Arts. DSOA has been consistently named one of the best high schools in the nation by The Wall Street Journal, Time, and Newsweek. My current passing rate for AP Literature is over 95 percent. For nearly three decades, I have taught a wide range of courses in composition (ENC1101, ENC1102, etc.), literature (AML2010, AML2020, LIT1000, etc.) and technical writing courses. In addition, I have taught courses in Multicultural Education (EDF3610) at Florida Atlantic University. . Furthermore, I continue to speak at conferences and to numerous organizations and groups on topics ranging from literature and writing techniques to publishing and multimedia instruction. I am currently one of the longest concurrent speakers at the annual Palm Beach County Technology conferences (well, at least until the pandemic put a temporary end to that). In addition to my career in secondary and in higher education, you may have read my nonfiction work in a wide range of publications, such as The Tampa Tribune metropolitan newspaper and South Florida Parenting magazine. My fiction and poetry appear in several literary publications.