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My Earliest Influences
These are the women who influence my love of reading at an early age. My aunts, grandmother, and mom. They were all avid readers, and shared that love of reading with me. There were always books and magazines available to read or have read to me. They modeled the importance of reading to me on a daily basis. -
My Childhood Passion
Books were my passion as a child. I spent most of my spare time reading, and always had a book with me. My books could take me anywhere I wanted to go. This is a picture of some of my childhood favorites that I can not part with. -
Love of Words
In middle school and in high school, I began competing in U.I.L. spelling competitions. I loved learning new words, and loved the challenge of competition. Spelling and vocabulary came naturally to me. I would compete in U.I.L. spelling for 6 years. -
Journaling
In my sophomore year of high school, my English teacher introduced us to the concept of journaling. For the next three years in her classes, I learned to find my voice and express myself in words. It was a valuable learning experience. -
My First Speech
I wrote and delivered my first public speech as Valedictorian at my high school graduation. Speaking in public was a new experience for me. I agonized for weeks over what I would say, and how I would say it. I remember being so nervous, but so proud to have the opportunity to thank all of the people who had helped me in my educational journey. -
College Literacy
Reading and writing for college took on a whole new meaning. For the first time, I did not truly enjoy the task. I was reading and writing about topics that I did not always enjoy. It was a chore, and not for enjoyment. As challenging as it was, I learned valuable literacy lessons, and grew as a writer and reader during my college years. -
Reading to My Children
As a mom, I wanted to pass on my love of reading to my children. I read to both of them daily when they were little. I surrounded them with books from the time they were born. They always enjoyed our reading time together, and both had special books that they always requested. -
Computers in the Classroom
In my professional life as an educator, I was required to write and communicate on a daily basis. The advent of the computer in the classroom took communication to a new level. I communicated daily with parents, co-workers and administrators. The ability to communicate in writing is a vital tool for a teacher. -
A Student Once Again
In 2016, I began the journey of graduate school. Learning to write in a new style was a big challenge for me. I was often frustrated with the process. I had always been successful at writing, and now I was struggling. But once I learned the basics, the process started to flow for me again. I am learning to read, write and think in a new way and it is helping me to grow professionally. -
My Bookshelf
I am a bookworm. I love reading, and it is still a passion of mine as an adult. I have many treasured books that I have read time and again. I still prefer a physical book in my hands over an electronic book. There is nothing quite like the comfort found in a great story.
