Hi there!

Teaching is in my blood. After getting an undergraduate degree in elementary education, working as an environmental educator for a couple years, and trying my hand as a youth librarian, I decided to pursue graduate degrees in English Studies. I taught at the university level for numerous years before getting certified to teach at the high school level so I could be more geographically mobile.

One of the units I most loved teaching high school students was the college essay unit. Walking them through the process, which held a very real purpose (getting into college!), was fun and rewarding for me; I loved seeing their personalities shine through their stories, and the pride they felt in their work was evident.

While I enjoyed teaching at both the high school and college levels, after being in the classroom for almost twenty years, I decided life called for a slight career shift. My desire to teach didn’t disappear though, so I started College Essay GPS. 

The reasons I created College Essay GPS are the reasons I’m drawn to teaching: I love getting to know my students as individuals, helping them achieve their goals, and watching them grow as young adults and scholars. When I work with students now, I get to do the parts of teaching I excel at and most enjoy—breaking down complex ideas and processes into understandable pieces, listening to and working with students to help them articulate their ideas, and helping them grow as writers.

When I’m not working, I love reading YA novels (especially murder mysteries at present), tending to my gardens as they change through the seasons, searching out opportunities to hear live music, going on bike rides and hikes with my family, and coming up with the punniest jokes I can to try to get my husband and kids to roll their eyes.