I enjoy helping students learn to love reading and writing. Over the years, I worked with middle school, high school and college students. My goal was to improve their skills in reading, writing, social studies, drama, English 101 and 100G and Shakespeare Comparative Film class, which was a Senior Ventures college class offered for senior citizens. In addition, I have given many gardening demonstrations and talks for garden clubs and libraries. For the last 30-plus years, I have worked and continue to do so professionally as an actor and singer. I am a cabaret singer with K. J. McElrath, working together as McElrath Cabaret musical duo. I've worked professionally for 30-plus years on stage, on camera and the radio. I am an endorsed teacher in grades 4-12 English, 4-12 English/Language Arts, 4-12 History and 4-12 Drama. I have earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts: Performance and a Master of Arts degree in English from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA, as well as endorsements in Language Arts and History. Other education includes a Bachelor of Religious Education degree from Prairie Bible College in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada and coursework at the Summer Institute of Linguistics at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. I tutor in English, Language Arts, History, Drama, Reading, Creative Writing, Study Skills and Organization, among others. I especially love tutoring writing and literature because my students and I get exposed to new ideas and ways of thinking that open our minds to greater understanding and different possibilities for life. My philosophy of education is to give students some freedom of choice in how they learn, with guidance, to build strong engagement with learning. My tutoring style encourages my students to have a lifelong love of learning. Outside of teaching, I love to read all sorts of books, write creatively, sing and act in cabaret shows and plays, walk my Chihuahua and two cats, grow delicious tomatoes, draw, paint and experience with zest all the humor in my life.

Acting, singing, writing creatively, crochet, gardening