Education
Antioch University
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing
Sonoma State University
Bachelor of Arts in English
Minor–Communication Studies
Santa Rosa Junior College
Associate of Arts
Teaching Experience
• Writing Center Assistant, Santa Rosa Junior College 2007-08
Oversee the day-to-day operations of the English Department Writing Center. Teach developmental-level reading and writing, composition, literature, critical thinking, and creative writing in a one-on-one setting. Provide assistance for students in following MLA and APA and AMA style formatting and non-English department assignments as appropriate. Create materials to facilitate student learning and market the Writing Center services, manage the Writing Center budget and provide orientation and training to students and new faculty.
• Teaching Assistant, Expressions College for Digital Arts 2006
English Composition. Over the course of three semesters, took on increasing responsibilities for the course including but not limited to: teaching structure, tone, concrete language, editing, punctuation, group work, also grading, discussion of required readings, management of classroom assignments, and introduction of new curriculum.
Analytical Writing. Provided feedback on written work and graded essays.
• Substitute Teacher, Sonoma County Office of Education 2006-07
Full and half-day substitution for grades K-12. Led lessons in general education topics. Followed existing curriculum or provided assignments as necessary in English, Math, Social Studies, P.E. and History.
• Teen Writing Mentor, Phoenix Teen Center, Petaluma 2006
Worked in groups and one-on-one with aspiring fiction, nonfiction and poetry writers; read and provided feedback on students’ written work.
• SAT Tutor, Ivy West. 2006
Tutored high school students using Ivy West strategies to increase their SAT critical reading and writing scores. One-on-one sessions included lessons in grammar, punctuation, and essay writing.
• Reading Instructor, Grant Elementary School, and
Valley Vista School, Petaluma 1999-2007
Created and implemented a curriculum for Tall Tales and Fairy Tales based on state standards focusing on vocabulary, voice, and personal and global interpretation of the text. Supplemented the existing classroom writing instruction.
• Teaching Assistant, Santa Rosa Junior College 2002-2003
Finite Mathematics. Graded homework.
Introduction to Mass Communications-online. Provided feedback on essays and graded written portion of tests.
Introduction to Political Science. Read and graded research/term papers.
Publications
Vintage Voices: A Toast To Life An Anthology of Redwood Writers
“One Last Gift” (essay) 2007
Redwood Writers Newsletter
“Devil in the White City” (book review) October 2006
“A Death in Belmont” (book review) November 2006
Family-Life Magazine
“Will Your Child Get Better Grades with Exercise?” March 2005
“Singing at Carnegie Hall” April 2005
“Home Buying Basics” July 2005
ZAUM 8
“Failure” (Short Story) 2004
The Oak Leaf
“Should I or Shouldn’t I: what to do after High School” 2001
Grant School Parent Handbook 1995
Petaluma Weekly News
“Off-Leash Ordinance is Good News” 1994
The Mother’s Journal
“Chocolate” 1994
"A View of the Men’s Movement, Why and How” 1994
“My son and A.D.D.” 1993
Presentations & Readings
“Marketing (and Defending) the Writing Center on the Community College Campus”
NCWCA Writing Center Conference, March 1, 2008
“Slow Down and Speak UP: How To Create A Successful Public Reading”
Senior Lecture at Antioch University-Los Angeles, December 2006.
“Eucalyptus and Love” Senior Reading, Antioch University-Los Angeles
December 2006
"Slide Show” student reading, Antioch University-Los Angeles June 2006
“The Blue Car” LiveWire Literary Series, Petaluma, CA June 2005
“One Simple List” student reading, Antioch University-Los Angeles
December 2005
Additional Writing/Editing Experience
• Writing Sample Evaluator, Santa Rosa Junior College 2007-08
Read and evaluate student essays for the English placement exam.
• Editor/Researcher, Alignment Project for the California Community Colleges June 2005- June 2006
Working with consulting firm Morrison-Forbes, compiled a literature review, assisted in the development of noncredit compendium guides and a learner centered curriculum report to facilitate alignment between existing credit and noncredit academic programs. Provided input on structure, clarity and readability of the report and guides, and created final layout and design.
• Contract Writer/Editor/ Tutor 1992- present
Produce nonfiction articles on topics including parenting, health, real estate, communication and safety. Edit and proofread essays, research papers, novels and articles. Layout and design for academic and practical-use manuals, theater programs and newsletters. Work with writers and students to improve academic and creative writing skills.
• Features & Calendar Editor, Family-Life Magazine, Rohnert Park, CA
February 2005- August 2005
Oversaw content development, screened queries and submissions, hired and managed freelance contributors, edited and proofread all aspects of three regional monthly magazines. Wrote front end, feature and sales copy. Updated monthly calendar of events and maintained editorial calendar. Interfaced with sales staff.
• Fiction Editor, Distribution Manager, ZAUM Literary Review
January 2003- May 2004
Oversaw editorial, marketing and distribution teams for ZAUM 7 and 8. Created the final layout for ZAUM 8.
• Technical Writing Intern, Sonoma County Water Agency
May 2003- July 2004
Created templates. Converted engineering specifications from outside agencies to adhere to Agency standards. Edited and proofread project manuals.
Community Service
• Advisory Committee Member for Fine Arts, Media, and Entertainment Cluster,
Petaluma High School 2007
• Founder, Petaluma High School Performing Arts
Booster Club 2006-07
• Founding Board Member, Petaluma Arts Council 1999-2001
• Chapter Coordinator, CHADD of Sonoma County 1996-1997
• Volunteer Coordinator, Grant Elementary School 1994-1996
Professional Memberships
Associate Member, Pen America 2007
Redwood Writer’s Club 2006-present
Association of Writers and Writing Programs 2004-present
National Writer’s Union 2004-2005;
1997-1999
Awards and Honors
Cum Laude, Sonoma State University 2004
Dean’s List, Sonoma State University 2002-2004
AAUW Scholarship 2003
Dean’s List, Santa Rosa Junior College 2000-2002
Doyle Scholar 2000-2002
Zana T. Weaver Memorial Scholarship 2002
John Patrick Lynch Memorial Scholarship 2002
High Honors, Santa Rosa Junior College 2001