Department: Language, Literature, and the Arts

Experience:

• Current adjunct coordinator for ENG, HUM, LIT.; Curriculum Committee, IT Liaison, American Honors Council; Former Department Chair, Former AQIP Executive Council Member
• Memberships: NCTE, Michigan Writing Program Administrators
• Course taught: Composition 090, 131, 132; Literature; Humanities
• Recognitions and Certifications: J. Ward Preston Outstanding Faculty Award Nominee; AQIP Leadership Certification; MCCA Emerging Leaders Academy Certification; Certified Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) Leader; ETOM Certified

Biography: My college education began with Jackson Community College. I attended JCC as a non-traditional student, earning my Associate of Arts and transferring to the University of Michigan where I earned a both BA and MA in English, the latter with a concentration in teaching composition at the community college --all while becoming the mother of two beautiful daughters. After graduation, and while I was starting out my teaching career, a son joined our family.

My experiences as a working mother/college student as well as my professional life as an instructor in the community college have fostered deep respect for our JCC students, who balance multiple facets of their lives in order to achieve their goals and dreams. My teaching is based in social constructivism with a current interest in developing effective learning communities in online courses. I am MCCLVC certified in online teaching, and, in the fall of 2010, I completed a second Master’s Degree in Education with a specialization in Instructional Design for Online Learning through Capella University. I teach a significant portion of my load online and in hybrid environments. Over the past three and a half decades, I have had and continue to have the honor of working with the wonderfully talented JCC faculty, staff, and administration who care deeply about and work hard for Jackson College students.

I have three grandchildren, one of whom has, along with her mother and great-grandmother, lived with me for most of her six years on this planet. A non-traditional family, we are four generations of women living together alongside three dogs, a cat, a hamster, and the occasional gold fish. My interests include, bicycling, kayaking, hiking, time with family and friends, reading, writing, and hanging out with my big yellow lab, Quinn, who spends his life modeling loyalty, joy in the moment, unconditional love, and generosity.