About Me
I am a teacher, adviser, mom to two daughters, partner, and friend. I am entering my 23rd year of teaching public high school in Michigan.
I have been the adviser for The Communicator, a student magazine and website, for 20 years. Students have won over 600 state and national journalism awards for writing, design, photography, and digital media.
I have my B.A. in English from University of Michigan and my M.A. in Secondary Curriculum from Eastern Michigan University. I’ve taught a range of courses: 10th grade English, 11th grade Advanced English, Intro to Literature, Poetry, Creative Writing, Women’s Literature, Pop Lit, Composition, Journalism I, Advanced Journalism, French I.
I have taken students to the National Scholastic Press Association/Journalism Education Association National Conferences since 2000. As a French teacher, I introduced homestay program in France to CHS students and co-led three trips to Paris region. I moved to Paris when I was 19, and I have traveled there 15 times since then.
Teaching Philosophy
Students need and deserve authentic spaces to share their work. Teachers must be advocates for their students and strive to create open forums for student expression. Students are the key to our democracy, and it is essential that we give students spaces where they make decisions, develop intellectual skills and engage our communities.
Education and Certifications
University of Michigan, B.A. in English, Minor in French
Eastern Michigan University, M.A. in Secondary Curriculum
Awards and Recognition
JEA Award of Commendation for Digital Media Contributions
University of Chicago Excellence in Teaching Award
Journalism Golden Pen Adviser of the Year, MIPA
National Writing Project Teacher Consultant
AAPS Exceptional Teacher
Publications
Published article “Journalism as a Way to Foster Students’ Rights to Read and Write about Immigration” in Adventurous Thinking by National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), edited by Mollie V. Blackburn (2019)
Co-authored the book “Purposeful Writing,” published by Heinemann in 2006
Co-authored the book “They Still Can’t Spell,” published by Heinemann in 2003
Articles published in English Journal in February 2002, March 2002 and November 2005 issues
Leadership & Service
MIPA Digital Media Chair (2019, 2020) Developed four specialized social media contests for 2018-2019, and developed an on-going social media contest for 2019-2020 that will encourage growth and reflection
Co-founded Journalism inspired fundraiser, raised over 700,000 for local food bank since 2009
English Department Chair at Community High School
Co-leader AAPS Journalism Teaching and Learning Network
Member of JEA Digital Media and Contributing Writer
Taught two-week virtual summer course at MIPA on how to develop social media platforms and presence (2020)
Created, developed and taught specialized courses for School Newspapers Online (Improve Your Writing, The Secret to Stunning Narratives, Everything You Need to Know About Grammar, Interview Like a Pro)
Past Second Vice-President, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association
Presented at the National Council for Teachers of English conference nine times between 1999-2008
Presented at Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA) Conference for seven years (2012-2018)
Taught one-week intensive courses focused on journalism design and digital media at MSU for MIPA (2012 – 2018)
National Writing Project Series 2007
Eastern Michigan Writing Project
National Commission on Literature Member 2003-2006
Recent Student Awards 2019-2020
CSPA Crown Finalist, High School Hybrid News
CSPA Gold Circle Awards: 1st Place, Single Subject Feature Package; 2nd Place, Personal Opinion, Off-campus Issues; 3rd Place, Typography; 3rd Place, Sports Page Design
NSPA Pacemaker Finalist and Winner
NSPA Awards Fall 2020: 2nd Place Climate Change Reporting; 3rd Place, Interactive Graphic; 3rd Place, Social Justice Reporting; 5th Place, Design for Feature Page/Spread; H.M. Design for Illustration; H.M. Design for Feature Page/Spread
NSPA Portfolio Writer of the Year Finalist
CSPA Gold Crown High School Hybrid News 2020
NSPA Best of Show, March 2020: 1st Place, Themed-Edition; 8th Place, Newsmagazine; 10th Place, Website
NSPA Individual Awards: Covid Coverage, 2nd and 8th Place; H.M. Digital Story of the Year; 1st Place, Interactive Graphic; 3rd Place Speciality Magazine Cover
CSPA, Gold Circle Awards 2019: 2nd Place, Typography; 2nd Place, Sports Page Design; C.M., Cultural Feature; C.M., Alternative Story Presentation
MIPA All-State Journalism Staff, two students
All-MIPA Student Journalist for Design
70 MIPA awards, Spring 2020
New York Times Narrative Contest 2020, two students in top 15
Select Notable Student Awards Throughout Advising Tenure
MIPA Spartan Awards: 2019-2020, 2018-2019, 2017-2018, 2016-2017, 2015-2016, 2014-2015, 2013-2014, 2012-2013, 2011-2012, 2006-2007, 2005-2006
NSPA Best of Show, First Place, 2018, website
NSPA Best of Show, First Place 2018, newsmagazine
NSPA Online Pacemaker Finalists: 2015, 2011, 2010
NSPA Online Pacemaker Winners: 2015, 2011, 2010
NSPA Magazine Pacemaker Finalists: 2020, 2019, 2016, 2012, 2010, 2009
NSPA Magazine Pacemaker Winners: 2020, 2019, 2010, 2009
New York Times Op-Ed Contest, Top 10 Winner, 2014
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, Gold Key for Journalism, 2013
NSPA Story of the Year, First Place, Diversity Coverage, 2008
