Welcome to my web page.
I am in my eighth year at Northern Michigan University, which is located
on the southern shore of Lake Superior in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I am an Associate Professor
of English - Secondary Education; I co-direct the English Education program; and I teach courses in methods, writing, young
adult literature, and the humanities.
As part of my job at NMU, I supervise student teachers in secondary English
placements in middle and high schools in the region. NMU students can do internships not only in Michigan and Wisconsin
schools but also overseas. Recently, my students have taught in New Zealand, Ecuador, Germany, France,
and England. I'm still trying to convince the boss to let me supervise outside of the U.S. :)
Through my membership
in NMU's Teacher Education Advisory Council, I stay focused on the needs of local and regional teachers and administrators.
Our goal is to facilitate the ongoing relationships between the student teachers, the local schools, and the university education
programs.
I am a former NBCT (EA/ELA, 1995) through the National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards. For more information on National Board Certification,
go to www.nbpts.org.
I am active as a member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
I direct the Promising Young Writers Contest for Michigan and am chair of the PYW national advising board.
I'm the co-chair of the Commission on English Methods, Teaching and Learning, for the Conference on English Education.
Each year, I attend and present at national conferences in my fields
(NCTE, CCCC, CEE).
Active in the Michigan Council of Teachers of English and Michigan
Conference on English Education, I currently serve as the Vice President of MCTE and co-editor (with Doug Baker) of
the Language Arts Journal of Michigan. For info on MCTE or LAJM, go to www.mienglishteacher.org.
I have also held offices for the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives
on Learning (AEPL).
"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the
way for others." ~Author Unknown
.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in English Studies (Composition and Pedagogy) from Illinois State University
in Normal, Illinois (2001)
- Master of Arts in English (Composition and Pedagogy) from Texas A&M University - Commerce
in Commerce, Texas (1997)
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English from Texas Christian University
in Fort Worth, Texas (1986)
Teacher Certification
- National Board for Professional Teaching Standards - Early Adolescence - English/Language Arts Certificate (1995-2005)
- Texas Certified in Secondary Psychology and English, (Lifetime certificate for grades 6-12)
Awards
· Excellence in Professional Development, Northern Michigan
University, 2006. Given for excellence in research and creative activities
as recognized by their peers.
· TLC Faculty Award, Northern Michigan
University, 2007. Given for exemplary faculty use of TLC laptops
in the areas of teaching, research, and community service.
- Recipient of 2007-2008 Learn and Serve America: Investing in College Futures/Brighter Futures Grant, with funding from
the Corporation for National and Community Service. The grant, entitled Good Books for Everyone, partnered foster care
youth in the Upper Peninsula with college students in Kia Richmond's EN 110 (Good Books) class at Northern Michigan University.
The grant program promotes literacy, service, and higher education.
|
