So A Little Bit About Me:
I was born in Ontario but grew up in Alberta, where I studied English Literature for my BA at the University of Alberta. I later returned to Ontario and completed my MA of English Literature at McMaster University and my BA at the University of Toronto. I have been teaching high school English since 1990, first in Toronto and later in Peel. I'm currently the Head of the Communications Department at Cawthra Park Secondary School.
I live with my husband and my cat. I read all the time and I love my iPad mini as a tool for reading even more. I write poetry, short stories, essays and novels. I enjoy watching movies, plays, and concerts. I am also a foodie, a Blue Jays fan, a do-it-yourself enthusiast, an experienced camper and Canadian traveller/explorer.
Most of all I have ECLECTIC tastes in books and music.
Advice to students taking any English class:
Read and write daily. Listen actively. Think before you speak. Use the writing process to make your thinking visible to your teachers.
Favorite inspirational Quotation:
"Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That's why it's so hard." -- David McCullough
What I'm Reading Now:
I'm always reading more than one book. Currently, I'm reading Margaret Atwood's MacAddam Trilogy, Susan Cain's Quiet, and Paul Solarz's Learn Like A Pirate.
If you're looking for a new book to read, OR if you've recently read a great book you'd like to recommend, please feel free to start a conversation with me.
If you're looking for a new book to read, OR if you've recently read a great book you'd like to recommend, please feel free to start a conversation with me.
What I'm Listening To Now
I'm always mixing up what I listen to as I read, plan lessons, or mark. My current back-to-school motivational playlist includes:
I'm always looking for new music to add to my playlists. Please feel free to start a discussion with me about what's currently on your favourite playlist.
- For King and Country. "The Proof of Your Love".
- American Authors. "Believer"
- Nico & Vinz. "Am I Wrong".
- Santa Esmeralda "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood".
- James Bay. "Let It Go".
- Taylor Swift. "Shake It Off".
- George Ezra. "Listen to the Man".
- Josephine. "Original Love".
- Lorde. "Royals".
- Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear. "Silent Movies".
I'm always looking for new music to add to my playlists. Please feel free to start a discussion with me about what's currently on your favourite playlist.