"I have taught high school English for 30 years, but before becoming a teacher I was an advertising and marketing executive working for advertising agencies and corporations in New York, LA, and Denver. I started teaching because I found that I was naturally good at it, and, frankly, it is fun. I have taught language arts to all levels of students including second language learners, students with learning difficulties, advanced students (GT, AP, IB), and all others. The most common comments students would make about me was that I was fair and extremely knowledgeable, and I always found ways to make students confident in their reading and writing and to take academic risks.

I love language: the sound of it, playing with words, decoding authors' meaning. My favorite questions to my students are, "What makes you think that? or "How do you know that?" I believe that all students can become both competent readers and writers. Regardless of your level, I give all of my students a sense of confidence that prepares them for whatever their next step is.

I am a listener. I never assume that I know what your reading or writing problems or issues are. We work those out together and go from there. As I stated in my Profile headline, I am the Writing Whisperer. Never despair. I will prepare you to conquer non-fiction writing, a.k.a. essays, the kind of writing you do on SAT tests, ACT, AP History, and Research papers. Grammar is also a particular strength as are all of the mechanics of writing.

I have taught and do teach all areas of Language Arts, not just writing. I am particularly strong in British and American literature, and I have a solid knowledge of World literature, especially South and Central American. I love drama and poetry, and Shakespeare and I are friends. If poetry is giving you fits or Shakespeare's language seems impossible, I can relieve your anxiety.

Furthermore, I am a student of history and anthropology. I can bring more than English academics to the party. Literature and writing" less...