I believe in collaborating with my students to help them reach their own discoveries and advances without telling them what their discoveries and advances should be. At the same time, I work to assist students discover their strengths and weaknesses.

I have a Bachelors Degree in English from University of Tennessee at Knoxville. I have a Masters degree in English from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Spalding University. In addition, I have numerous continuing education credits in AP English in Writing Exam evaluation.

I have taught English at the University level full time for 8 years, including classes in Freshman composition, literature surveys, creative writing on introductory and advanced levels, senior level literature classes, and others. I have also worked in a writing center in a tutoring relationship with college students.

I am a published author with a short collection of poems in print as well as numerous journal publications. I run and organize an issue awareness documentary program, and I am a central organizer of a professional writers conference that occurs bi-annually. In addition, I participate in regular public readings of my creative writing.