I’ve been in education for 23 years.  Most people think kids have changed so much, and our world is heading in the wrong direction.  I beg to differ with that theory.  Kids are virtually the same…they just have more distractions.  Currently, I teach 8th grade ELA in a 1A West Texas school.  Passionate about literacy and service learning, I strive to create life-long learners as well as students who are literate about how to change their community.  My students may be technology natives, but I am constantly challenging myself to discover technologies that will create the success that they deserve.  I believe social technologies and Web 2.0 tools have become a key to engaging the disengaged students in my classroom.

At the present, I’m pursuing my master’s degree in Instructional Technology Leadership and, hopefully, can someday teach at the college level, write a professional book,  or pursue the dream of my heart as a librarian (or, maybe, all three!), but, for now, I’ll continue to enjoy my 8th graders.

I am also on the board of the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts and am slowly getting involved in the National Council of Teachers of English.  Recently, we have been successful at beginning a regional affiliate of TCTELA and NCTE in my area as well.  As professionals who have a tough job, teachers must find the support of other teachers. Professional organizations provide another sense of community for me.

My family is my rock and my guidance in all of my endeavors.  My husband is a product of the school system in which I teach, and his advice and insight amazes me daily.  I have three children, one in middle school and two who are 28 years old.  My granddaughter is three, and I often think of her as my “Mini-me”.

I’m excited about this opportunity to contribute to yet one more community that I believe will sustain me and encourage me in all I do as an educator and learner.