Before entering the teaching field, I had extensive work experience in the business world. At IBM, where I was the leader of the education function for the worldwide Retail Division, my team produced technology-based courses on CD-ROM and the internet for a worldwide audience that were translated into five languages. I also have experience teaching writing at the college level, and also have a background in ESL instruction and am a trained literacy instructor, with training in Reading Foundations and experience in Corrective Reading and Strategic Reading. I received my Master's degree in English Education from Appalachian State University. I'm also a published writer in non-fiction, mainly. I wrote for some reference works when I was in college and since then have done a number of feature articles for regional arts publications.
I grew up in North Carolina and love it for its scenic beauty, diverse geography, and progressive artistic background. Like most people, I also have a life outside of school and schoolwork. I like reading nonfiction and historical fiction, creating art, listening to music, seeing live music and concerts, cooking, gardening, travel, fishing (for trout, mainly), and sports. My love of music has me dabbling as a singer and guitar player. I collect records (yes, real records) and had over 5,000 (mostly records, but some CDs) before I downsized to about 1,000 when I moved to Winston-Salem. I have everything from classical, jazz, country, pop, and rock, to jazz, blues, metal, and folk. Some of my recent listening favorites are Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers, Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift, and Ray LaMontagne.
I've also been an artist my entire life. I mainly paint and am proficient in oil and watercolor. The summers give me more free time to do artwork, and so a few summers ago I explored Chinese brush painting with ink. It is so much fun! I'll have to bring some of them to school to show everyone. My artwork used to be exhibited in and sold in galleries and shops all across the state of North Carolina and a few other states. One of my latest art projects was a commissioned series of tropical fish for a scuba diving product line. Since my beginnings at IBM, I have also developed many websites, specializing in websites for artists and art galleries, and I've done a few more recently, including the NCASA website (a powerful Joomla-based database site), which has led me to manage the Atkins site.
I had the BEST summer, and travelled to so many places. I was fortunate enough to go with a group of teachers to Poland to study Holocaust sites, and that was probably the most powerful, emotional trip of my life. But after that, I took a personal solo, side trip to Budapest, Hungary; Vienna, Austria; Munich, Germany; a side trip to Nuremburg, and finally to Berlin. I saw so many great sites, architecture, history, ate fabulous foods, went to great museums, and even saw live music in several countries. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. During the rest of the summer, I went on a few camping trips to the mountains and the beach, and also spent most of a week at Cherry Grove Beach (north of North Myrtle).
I have a 19-year-old son who lives in Tennessee, but now I'm single and live in Winston-Salem north of downtown, and have completely remodelled a house built in 1950 from top to bottom (even new electric and plumbing). I like to collect vintage items and antiques, listen to music, garden, and enjoy my peaceful (usually) neighborhood, with walks at Reynolda Gardens, or going to the West End coffee shops, or downtown to restaurants or to hear live music. I love Winston-Salem!
At Atkins High School this year I teach Yearbook, Essentials of English, English III, and the Social Injustice course. In the past, I've taught English I, ACT Test Prep, Creative Writing, and Newspaper. I've also spent some time each year running ISS and the SMOD closet.
My background and experience is diverse, so I think I'm a perfect fit for Atkins High School!