The Story of Teaching: Once upon a time, a group of graduate students were turned loose into their first classrooms as the teachers of record. We had read some theories, done some homework, and talked about what teachers do–but we had to figure out exactly how that looked in our own classrooms on the fly, in the moment, on our feet. It was terrifying, but it was also exhilarating. The image below is from my first semester of teaching college students in 2006–an amazing group of students, many of whom I remain in touch with all these years later. These young men and women helped me to see what my future as an instructor of English could look like. I’m indebted to them.

Fast forward to the last five or six years and I have enjoyed many wonderful teaching opportunities since that first semester in the classroom. I have taught learners from high school level all the way to graduate learners, at high schools, community colleges, small private universities, masters-granting universities, Tier-1 research universities, and for online degree programs as well. Special shout-out to the students below, some of my marvelous learners in English classes at Arizona State University. You have continued to grow me as an instructor, students–I’m honored to remain in touch with so many of you and witness your achievements!

In 2019, I made a professional change to teach middle grades English Language Arts at Mammoth-San Manuel PK-12 School in a close-knit mining community in central Arizona. Miner Pride! I remained at San Manuel for two school years, then returned home to North Carolina in summer 2021 to teach 8th grade ELA at B. F. Grady Elementary School in Albertson, North Carolina. Panther Pride! After three wonderful years at BFG, I transferred to Duplin Early College High School in Kenansville, North Carolina, where I teach 9th and 10th grade Honors English classes, serve as a Beginning Teacher Ambassador, and lead the TEACH Academy/Future Teachers Club. Go Mavericks!

TRADITIONAL FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION

Arizona State University (Downtown Phoenix campus)
Instructor of English – Stretch Writing Program: 2014—2015
WAC101 (first semester of Stretch Writing 101; e-portfolio-driven)
ENG101 (second semester of Stretch Writing 101; e-portfolio-driven)
ENG101 (Writers’ Studio team-taught online course; e-portfolio-driven)

Arizona State University (Tempe campus)
Faculty Associate: 2012—2015
Business Writing; First Year Composition I; First Year Composition II

University of Arizona
Graduate Associate in Teaching: 2007—2014
First Year Composition I; First Year Composition II; Film and Literature; Business Writing

Appalachian State University
Completed the WAC faculty training for ASU general education curriculum
Adjunct (final position); GTA (initial position): 2006—2011
Seminar: Literature of the American West; Seminar: ‘Identity’ in Ethnic American Literature; Expository Writing; Introduction to Literature; Business Writing; Writing Center Consultant

Lenoir-Rhyne University: 2010—2011
Critical Thinking and Writing [Developmental Writing]

Pfeiffer University – Visiting Assistant Professor: 2009—2010
Writing I Introduction to College Writing; Writing II College Writing; Native American Literature; British Literature I; British Literature II; World Literature in Translation

DISTANCE EDUCATION INSTRUCTION

Coastal Carolina Community College: 2021—present
English Composition

Ashford University: 2016—2019
English Composition; Business Writing; American Lit I and II; African American Lit

Southern New Hampshire University: 2011—2014
Senior American Lit Seminar; Early American Lit; Graduate American Lit Seminar

American Military University / American Public University: 2011—2014
World Lit I and II; American Lit I and II; African American Lit; Freshman Composition I and II

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College: 2008—2012
Adjunct Instructor / Appointed Member of Distance Ed Advisory Council
American Literature I and II; British Literature I and II; World Literature II; African American Lit

Grand Canyon University: 2010—2012
English Composition; American Literature I; English Composition II; Critical Thinking and Writing [Developmental Writing]