​I am a writer who builds bridges and nudges perspectives. My favorite subjects are little-known "pioneers" who followed their hearts and their curiosity and made a meaningful difference.  I am most fascinated by STEM, the arts, history, and the north Atlantic. 

I write for children and adults - everything from picture books and poetry to historical fiction. I also write two blogs: one of my own musings, and a second for Birdshot Uveitis Society of North America - a health-related nonprofit that I helped establish.

I've had pieces published in STEAMeducation for teachers, and in Downhome Magazine, a popular Newfoundland publication. I am also represented in Voices from the Ice (American Polar Society) and in several northeastern Pennsylvania nonfiction and poetry anthologies. 

As for my career in education, I was most recently a 5th grade STEAM teacher. Before that, an elementary music teacher, a choir director, a piano teacher, and an early childhood music teacher certified in Orff, Kindermusik and Yamaha early music education programs. Close to 200 young people attended my well-rounded music program for 4-7-year-olds, Maplewood Music Workshop. You can see that I follow my own curious pathways! 

During the 1990's, Howard Gardner’s Frames of Mind introduced me to the theory of multiple intelligences, and that led me to attend two Arts Genesis Symposiums. I became fascinated with the potential of the arts in the elementary classroom and soon started teaching 5th grade at Jefferson School (now Delia Bolden) in Maplewood, NJ. During my 14 great years at Jefferson, I especially enjoyed integrating the arts into my math, science and social studies classes.

Along my journey I also discovered a love for writing. It came into view after reading one of my 8th-grade daughter’s assigned books about the great microbiology pioneers. How did an uneducated 17th century shopkeeper become the Father of Microbiology? I was amazed at how this diligent Dutchman followed his curiosity and developed the best microscopes of the 1600's! I wanted to write his story and share it with younger students. I’ve been writing ever since.

My memberships include SCBWI, Julie Hedlund’s 12x12 Picture Book Writing Group, Kirsten Larson’s Reimagine Insiders, Highlights, Historical Novel Society, Poets & Writers, and several writers' groups. I've taken dozens of webinars and in-person writing workshops. The writing community is so welcoming and supportive, and I appreciate the mentors and friends I've met along the way. I'm also a member of American Polar Society.

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