I have been a teacher for over thirty-five years, and I enjoy it as much today as I did when I began. After completing my doctorate at the University of Minnesota, I taught reading methods courses at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, and was named Outstanding Faculty Member of the College of Education in 1996. This is extremely meaningful to me in that it honors the considerable time and effort I devote to my teaching. I returned to the public schools for one year in 1999 to teach struggling 7th and 8th grade readers and to serve as a district reading specialist. I was motivated by the fact, although I spent a considerable amount of time in week in schools, I was beginning to read about things in journals and textbooks that I had not taught. This was unacceptable to me. I wanted to “own the problem” and reconnect with adolescent learners. It is a decision I have never regretted. I continue to value close ties with teachers and students.
I enjoy remaining active in research and scholarly publication, most recently in the areas of adolescent literacy and literacy coaching.
Commitment to service in local, state, national, and international professional organizations is one way I stay energized and connected with others who share my professional interests. I am a member of numerous committees, a frequent presenter at conferences, and a review for several literacy journals. In 2006, I was privileged to serve as President of the Wisconsin State Reading Association (WSRA) during the organization’s 50th anniversary celebration. I participated in the preparation of the Wisconsin DPI Adolescent Literacy Toolkit and was invited to be a panelist at one of four national Adolescent Literacy Summits on May 7, 2007 in Madison.
