I am an educator with 17 years of classroom teaching experience in five different public school systems in three different states: Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia. I have taught split grades: 2nd/3rd, 3rd/4th, and 5th/6th. However, most of my teaching experience is in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades, all subject areas. As both a 4th grade and 5th grade teacher, I was responsible for preparing my students to pass the statewide proficiency tests in Narrative Writing, Grammar, Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies. In addition to this, I have logged many days as an inspired substitute teacher, frequently carrying batteries, aluminum foil, and light bulbs in case I needed an emergency lesson. I served in the Peace Corps as an English Language Specialist in primary schools in Sierra Leone, West Africa. As an education specialist for the Office of Litter Control within the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, I created education materials for the classroom. I also engage in freelance tutoring in Reading and Writing.