I love to read. I love to write. Most of all, I love doing both with others. Whether it is through storytelling or providing an overview of various writing concepts and skills, it is always exciting to creatively co-play with ideas and words.. Especially when doing so with students, parents, or educators. I have provided writing/literacy development presentations during all school assemblies, teacher institute days, educational conferences, and at parent meetings. Presentations are sometimes tailored to the needs of an individual school and may focus more heavily on increasing student motivation, understanding the different genres and how they overlap with similar writing elements, poetry, or technology use in writing, As an author I have presented and signed during school assemblies, and at park districts, bookstores, and Printers Row Lit Fest. Publications:And the Crowd Goes Wild; A Global Gathering of Sports PoemsTeacher in FocusChildren's MagazinesHighlights MagazinesEducation Reviewer: Loyola PressAs a storyteller, I have performed stories in elementary classrooms, at libraries, and on stage with the GreenMan Theatre Troupe.