Branch Out With Books

ACT Prep Tutoring (1 yr.), University Writing Tutoring (2 yrs.), ELL (1 yr.), 8th grade ELA (8 yrs.), Core Coach for TN Dept. of Ed. (5 yrs.), 7th grade ELA (8 yrs.)

I enjoy teaching more organically, basing my teaching decisions more on my students and their current needs and responses. Grammar in context is more valuable than rote learning and basic repetition, though these also have their place, especially at the start of learning a new skill or standard. I will also frequently employ the "I Do," "We Do," "You Do" model of teaching because this is how I often learn things - by seeing an effective example and modeling my beginning work after that. Therefore, much of the material I have created includes my own work, to be used as an example. Rarely will I assign anything without some kind of starter or model response.

Dean's List while earning degree in English Literature, Almost perfect score on Pedagogy Praxis Test for English 7-12 Certification, Invited to attend conference on Holocaust Studies in Washington, D.C. and at the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Voted one of 'favorites' in local newspaper during 3rd year of teaching.

Bachelor's Degree in English Literature, Middle Tennessee State University, 2006 Certification in Secondary Teaching English, 2008 (& Lifelong Learner of Everything I Possibly Can Learn!!)

I love to teach for the chance to help others grow and maybe see the world a little bit differently, and the best feeling is when a student is grateful and understands themselves and the world around them just a little bit better. Most of us learn best, I believe, a at a time and in real world situations. I live in a 'holler' in Middle Tennessee and enjoy spending time with my three large dogs and husband, who is a crane operator for a local construction company. One of my dreams is to write a novel, when I decide what kind of novel it will be...! Cooking, especially baking, is relaxing to me, as well as walking in nature, kayaking, and gardening. I also love all kinds of music and hope to one day learn how to play one of the multiple instruments I own. My hope is that my files here will help other teachers do what they do so well just a little bit faster or with less pressure - because that is what all teachers need - a little (or a lot of) "help from their friends," be they in the next classroom or, more likely, in the fast moving digital times we live in, hundreds of miles away and online. My adult daughter lives only about 50 miles away, so I also love to visit with her - and am very proud that she has been known to write an essay just for fun!