As both a novelist and an educator, I've seen how the act of shaping a narrativewhether in fiction or personal reflectionhelps students locate themselves in the larger human story. My goal as a teacher is to guide students toward that understanding: that writing is not merely a skill, but a way of seeing. For more than fifteen years, I have worked with writers of all levels, from middle school students discovering the joy of words to adults crafting their novels. My teaching is rooted in mentorshipmeeting students where they are, listening deeply, and helping them find their authentic voice. I draw on my experience as a published novelist and developmental editor to create a classroom environment that is both rigorous and nurturing. We focus not only on craftcharacter, structure, dialogue, and world-buildingbut also on the emotional truth that gives writing its power. I believe in learning by doing, by revising, and by sharing. My workshops emphasize collaboration and reflection. Students analyze literature not as distant observers but as apprentices, studying how other writers solve the problems they face on the page. Through discussion and revision, they learn that writing is a process of discovery, one that requires patience, curiosity, and courage. Ultimately, my teaching philosophy rests on this belief: every writer has something to say that only they can express. My role is to help them say it wellto equip them with the tools of craft and the confidence to use them. When a student begins to trust their voice and see their story take shape, that's the moment I know real learning has occurred. That's why I teach.

I am a nerd's nerd, for sure, and happily admit it. Some of my hobbies include: --Reading (of course!) - my favorite genres are literary and speculative fiction (particularly novels with a dystopian/post-apocalyptic bent), but I read widely and cross-culturally. I also like non-fiction and gravitate towards folklore studies, medical humanities, and thematic memoir. --Baseball --Woodworking --Movies and televisions, especially those that help deepen my storytelling skills. --Gardening --Baking bread --Multi-media art using fiber, cloth, paper, and found objects and natural materials --Biking, hiking, and exploring outdoors --Gaming, with a focus on story-driven narratives --Following the rabbit trails of whatever currently catches my fancy!