About Me

I've been teaching, tutoring, and testing in a variety of educational settings professionally and privately for over 25 years. We've homeschooled all three of our children, now ages 23, 21, and 18.  I'm an enthusiastic and caring teacher who sets high expectations for both my students and myself.

Classes I've Taught Through the Years

• AP Language & Composition
• High School British Literature & Writing
• High School American Literature & Writing
• High School World Literature & Writing
• Junior High Language Arts, Black Mountain Homeschool, FAITH Tutorials
• Essentials, (English grammar & IEW-based writing), Classical Conversations
• High School Speech & Debate, FAITH Tutorials, Asheville, NC
• Senior English, Independence High School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg
• AP Literature & Composition, Independence High School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg
• Sophomore English, Independence High School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg
• Freshman English, Ranson Middle School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg
• High School Newspaper, Independence High School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg
• SAT Prep, Private Tutor, Briarcliff Hall, Charlotte, NC
• ENG 101 & ENG 102 (Freshman Composition), Clemson University, while pursuing my M.A.

Academic Testing 
I’ve been administering the Woodcock Johnson IV Achievement test to WNC homeschoolers since 2010. This test provides useful academic feedback for parents while meeting the annual NC testing requirement. 

Tutoring

I tutor privately by the hour and have worked with a wide range of ages (elementary through college) helping students become better writers and readers. I’ve also helped with college and scholarship essays.

Formal Education
Clemson University, M.A. in English, magna cum laude
James Madison University, B.A. in English, minor in Secondary Education, summa cum laude

More About Me and Our Family

In addition to teaching, I also love flower and vegetable gardening, art, travel, local history, and genealogy. All three of our children were homeschooled. I'm originally from Buffalo, New York, but I've spent most of my life in the South. We love the mountains and have lived in Asheville over 20 years.

My husband Briggs works as a finanical advisor with Edward Jones.

Rose (19) is a sophmore at NC State studying Finance 

David (21) graduated from App State in 2023 with a degree in Finance. He spent the last year doing an intership in Ethiopia, traveling out West, and working at a camp over the summer.  He'll begin work with my husband this fall as a junior financial advisor.

Grace (25) just moved to Charlotte and is launching her career as an occupational therapist.

Christmas Tree Hunting 2023