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Transplanted multi-talented, versatile writer, teaching artist, and certified TEFL instructor.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Cultural Studies 
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL.                                                                    
2008
Minor Concentration: Creative Non-Fiction
Thesis Title: “Mothers of Incarcerated Sons as Invisible Victims: An Intervention”
Thesis Advsior: Jaafar Aksikas, Ph.D.

120-Hour TEFL Certification 
TEFL Institute
Chicago, IL.                                                                    
2010
100 hours training w/ 20 hours student teaching


Teaching Experience:                                                                                    
Chicago, IL.                                                                                                                          
2003-2010
  • Prepare for and facilitate weekly 90-minute writing workshop with 10-12 adult writers.
  • Develop engaging prompts.
  • Facilitate civic awareness dialogue
  • Prepare materials for submission.
  • Blog creation, maintain web and monthly e-marketing
Chicago, IL.                                                                                                                                    
2009
Resistance through the Arts Then and Now: Moments of Change in the U.S. Prison System
  • Develop lesson plans and facilitate 8-week course
  • Facilitate civic awareness dialogue
  • Facilitate art making based on course materials
M.I.S.S.~Mothers of Incarcerated Sons Speak
Chicago, IL.                                                                                                                                    
2009
  • Director of organization.
  • Develop lesson plans, engaging prompts, and facilitate creative writing workshops.
  • Community outreach
Literacy Volunteers of Illinois
Chicago, IL.                                                                                                                          
2005-2008
  • Develop lesson plan and facilitate writing workshop for Annual On the Road to Literacy Conference.
  • Facilitate civic awareness dialogue
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL.                                                                                                                          
2004-2005
Fiction Department
  • Tutor
Spiritual Healing Poetry Workshops:  
Council for Jewish Elderly
Chicago, IL.                                                                                                                          
2003-2007
  • Develop and facilitate writing workshops for Alzheimer’s patients.
Spirit of the Earth 
Hopkinsville, KY
2011
  • Develop and facilitate workshops for Samhain Renewal Services
Publications:
Journal ofOrdinary Thought: Editor Intern, regular contributor                              
1999-2008
Wordgathering: “Breakfast of the Changing Mind.”                                                                
2008
Word Curves: Co-Editor, Designer, Contributor: “Signs of the Times,” “Desired Questioned,” “The End Delivered,” “There Are Things”                                                                                 
2008
Fictionary: “Story Week Festival of Writers 2003 and Dennis Lehane”                              
2003
AssociatedContent: “Scheduling Tips for Freelancers,” “First Dates in Chicago,” Posthumanism, Narcissism, Schizophrenia or the Twilight Zone,” “Effective Diplomacy vs. Ineffective Preemptive Action,” “Globalization and Afghanistan: Acceptance or Occupation,” “The American Dream: Myth of Fact.”
Back2college.com: “Going Back to School: Funding Your Dream.”

Adaptations:
“Uptown Square” adapted to stage in Unobstructed View, Pegagsus Players                     
2005
“Uptown Square” adapted to stage in Chicago Voices, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble    
2006

Presentations and Readings:
National Poetry Month Winner-WFMT—Chicago’s Classical Radio                                       
2010
Regular Reader—Printers Row Book Fair                                                                       
2001-2009
Chicago Humanities Festival—NWA                                                                                
2003-2009
WBEZ’s “Eight Forty-eight”—Veterans Day Program                                                             
2004
Featured poet: Neighborhood Writing Alliance fundraiser hosted by 
Kurtis Productions                                                                                                                         
2003
US99’s “Chicago Up Close”                                                                                                           
2003

Awards:
Fire This Time Fund Grantee                                                                                                      
2008
To support publication for Mothers of Incarcerated Sons Speak
                       
City of Chicago CommunityArts Assistance Program (CAAP) Grant                                     
2001
(forfeited due to student status)