I am a creative storyteller shifting gears after 17 years in the publishing industry. As a dynamic yet fundamentally-centered writing professional, my goal is to serve my local community in a position that will allow me to share my love of the English language with young people and see the next generation move on to their futures with a strong grasp on how to use words to their greatest advantage. Because of my teacher residency, I have discovered that educating young people is a lively and enjoyable venture, full of not only challenges but also persistent reward. I envision building my new career in my local community, where I feel most at home. I aim to inspire even the most reluctant of English literacy learners through standards-based but inspirational teaching strategies.