About Me

• Lang Arts/Reading Teacher, Judith Rayson

First Year at Oak Lawn Hometown Schools:

2006

Degrees:

• B.A. in English Education from Loyola University
• M.A. in English from DePaul University

Work Experience:

• Maria High School in Chicago- taught AP English and American Literature
• Washburne Middle School in Winnetka- taught Journalism and Creative Writing

Expertise:

Middle School Endorsement

Professional Interests:

Newspaper moderator, Power Hour and STAR instructor, PBIS representative

Biography:

I am from tree-lined streets by the lakefront where I remember watching Jeopardy with my mom after school and enjoying summers filled with Wisconsin canoe trips.

I am from an eighth grade class of only 40 where a wonderful social studies teacher turned mystery novelist inspired me to treasure writing.

I am from a home filled with the scent of baking cakes and the sounds of New Orleans jazz.

I am from high school American literature classes where novels from authors like Toni Morrison and Louise Erdrich made the lives of their characters vibrant and captivating.

Now I am from summers with my two young children attending story time and walking to ice cream shops.

Now I teach at a much larger middle school where I aspire to encourage writers to capture vivid moments.

Now I am from barbecues on my deck watching my children savor corn on the cob and ribs slathered in sauce.

Now I am from delving into the stories of Korean War refugees in The Surrendered and Jhumpa Lahiri's stories of characters navigating cultural divides.