Word Wild

I have eight years of experience in a U.S. classroom, in third, first, and most recently in fifth grade, where I teach writing and grammar to some truly amazing young authors. Before that, my classrooms were under mango trees in West Africa, where I taught village women and reveled in doing life alongside them in their agricultural fields and cooking huts. Along the way, I've served as a writer for various magazines and an editor for a couple of different publications.

Too often, grammar is boring and writing is tedious. Bored kids don't learn! My goal is to chase the dull out of those subjects. For writing, I pick topics I think they'll really care about, and we have lively class discussions and debates before they ever write a word. And grammar? I weave ridiculous stories into my example sentences; I get them on their feet to play games; and I create space for them to act out sentences, illustrate grammar principals, and brainstorm with each other.

Anytime a kid "gets" it -- THAT'S my shining teacher moment!

I have a bachelor's of science in journalism and a master's of divinity. I earned my teaching certification through iTeachTexas.

Writing, teaching, editing, creating -- these are a few of my favorite things! Thank you for coming along side me in them.