-
My birthday!
I'm born at Northside hospital early one June morning. Many of mom's teacher friends gave me books around this time. My mother begins reading to me this night--a pattern that will contnue for a long time... -
Period: to
Literacy Timeline
-
Learning to Read
I learn to read around my thrid or fourth birthday. My mother has been reading to me every night and will continue to do so until the 5th grade. -
First Day of School
I begin kindergarten and fall in love with school. I move to another school after 6 weeks in my first school. This does not dampen my enthusiasm for learning! -
Won a Poetry Contest
I had a wonderful second grade teacher who encouraged my literacy skills. She entered a poem I wrote in a young poet contest and I ended up being named a winner. This was a very positive experience that led me to pursue my writing craft. -
Trips to the Library
When we moved to our new house, my mother started taking my sister and I to the library every week. This contiuned until I left for college! -
Starting a New School
When we moved, I began attending the local public school. I stayed in this district throught high school. Moving and starting a new school did not affect my love of books and reading at all! -
Won a Writing Contest
In eigth grade, I won a writing contest for a short story I composed. This made me even more interested in writing and developing my craft. -
Ninth Grade Literature Class
In high school, I had a very negative experience in a ninth grade literature class. My teacher and I disagreed on a lot of the subjective material and I was not interested in any of the assigned reading. This was a very disappointng moment when I look at my literacy history. -
Advanced Placement Literature
This was an amazing class with an excellent teacher. Even though we read some challenging texts, our teacher made them very interesting. She made us work hard and this led to me learning some very valuable skills. This class convinced me that I had what it took to be an English major in college. -
Capstone Presentation
In order to graduate with an English degree (with a concentration in creative writing) I had to give a public reading. This was difficult for me since I had never read my fiction out loud, in front of a group before. However, it was a very positive expereince that helped me realize that I had no reason to be nervous when sharing my own work.