This is me, with two of my three dogs.

In the picture, we are waiting our turn for hunt training

I have been teaching at Penn Wood school since September 1975. I love it here. The school is so beautiful and the students are terrific. Every morning, as I drive up behind the building, I am reminded once more of how fortunate I am to work in such a lovely place.

I love being a teacher!

The best part of being an elementary school teacher is the gift of working with children.

I  enjoy teaching elementary school because I am able to teach reading across so many interesting content areas, including science and social studies.  I also love teaching math!  Teaching is the best job in the world because you learn so much every day.  

I graduated from Radnor High School in 1970. While I was in high school, I loved participating in music. I sang in both chorus and Meistersingers and played percussion in marching and concert bands as well as in the orchestra. The most difficult instruments were the timpani and the xylophone. Playing the glockenspiel was fun! My dad loved to hear me play at all the football games. 

I went on to Bryn Mawr College, a women's college not far from my home. I majored in psychology because I found it so interesting. I also took many science, English and history courses. I was able to work at the Bryn Mawr Child Study Institute as a tutor. I also spent many hours doing volunteer work in the city of Philadelphia. I taught reading at Sulzburger Junior High School, math at Heston Elementary School and English as a Second language anywhere people needed me. Once I held class in a Chinese restaurant! 

After graduating from college in 1974, I went to the University of Pennsylvania to complete my elementary certification and to earn my Masters degree. I was fortunate to earn a complete fellowship for the year.

I graduated from Penn in May 1975, and began working at Penn Wood in September. I was so happy to be in the classroom at last! At first, I taught fourth grade, My first room was Room 15. Since then, I have been in most of the classrooms in the building!
 

While working for the West Chester Area Schools I have worn many hats. I have taught fourth and fifth grade during the regular year. I have also taught kindergarten, first and second grade in summer school. I worked in the Migrant Education program. I have also enjoyed teaching Adult Basic Education classes. My specialty is teaching ESL!
 

I was able to complete my doctoral studies part time while working full-time. I also earned my Reading Specialist certificate. The hardest part of taking classes at Penn was getting out of school early enough to make it down to the city by 4:30. Those of you who know me, know I like to stay late at school. It was a challenge, but I did it. I received my Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in May 1992. My area of specialization was Literacy and my dissertation was entitled, "The Secrets Within: The Story of Fifth Grade Portfolio Assessment." 

Since 1992, I have been an instructor at Cabrini College. I teach graduate classes in reading. One class I always teach is called "Teacher Research."   Two of my other favorite classes to teach are "Children's Literature"and "Instructional Strategies for Teaching Reading/Language Arts."  All of my students investigate an area of special interest within their own classrooms. I learn so much about best practice from helping them with their projects. 

My classes begin at 7 and end at 10 at night. I work there all year round.

I also teach at West Chester University. I have been teaching Developmental Reading since 1990. I also teach graduate courses in reading. One of my favorite classes is called "Teaching Reading to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners."

I also teach a class about comprehension and vocabulary development.

I enjoy teaching recent immigrants how to speak and write English. They know that literacy is the pathway to a better life here in America.I also help students studying for their GED. 

I have one son, Michael, who recently completed his Masters in Education. He is a high school teacher, looking for a permanent position. He is currently teaching special education/history for the Rose Tree/Media School District.

I am a member of Westtown Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends. I enjoy the quiet of Meeting, the beauty of the Westtown campus and the children of the First Day School. 

I love to read. One of my favorite authors is Marian Wright Edelman. I turn to her book Guide My Feet often for inspiration. It is filled with prayers for children and those who work with them. 

Here is one thought from that book: 

Often we procrastinate and make excuses for our inaction. It's not the right time. I can't make a difference Whatever I do won't matter. It's not my business. It's somebody else's turn. Nobody will pay attention. It's overwhelming-My little bit won't matter.

We must struggle with ourselves and ask forgiveness and keep being useful in small ways. And we must remember it is always the right time to do right.

I look forward to working with you this year!