Experience Summary
Before moving to Florida in 2004, I was the owner/editor of a weekly newspaper in Madison County, Iowa, for 15 years. I also taught in the Writing Lab on the Urban Campus of Des Moines Area Community College for 2-1/2 years. Here in Florida, I've written for several newspapers and magazines including Charlotte Woman, Venice Gulf Coast Living, the Venice Gondolier, and Gasparilla Gazette. I currently teach in the Communications Lab on the Venice Campus of State College of Florida and am a certified Online Writing Lab instructor with Smarthinking.com.
Teaching Style
I never thought I'd find something I loved more than writing until I had the opportunity to work with young writers. I use constructive and supportive suggestions and questions to guide my students through the writing process, from brainstorming for ideas, clustering and/or outlining, writing the rough draft, rewriting, proofreading, and polishing their final paper. I believe that writing is a skill that can be mastered with practice and encouragement. Every student can be a writer.