About Me…
I am an assistant professor in the Department of Language, Reading and Exceptionalities at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. My husband and I live in the downtown area and we love Boone! I really enjoy walking or riding my bike to our campus. I have never purchased a parking permit since we live so close to campus. Here is a little background and my thoughts on teaching…enjoy.
On Teaching…
I put forth immense effort in the teaching of my courses, and I believe my teaching demonstrates a commitment to providing students with models of effective literacy instruction. I try my very best to be EXCITED about my teaching with the hope that I will inspire my students. After all, if I am able to inspire future teachers and teachers, think of all of the lives that they may touch and inspire.
For the past eighteen years, my work in both elementary and university classrooms has focused on reading instruction, children’s literature, preservice teacher education, and the professional development of classroom teachers. My experience as an elementary classroom teacher and reading teacher undergirds my commitment to teaching future teachers and practicing teachers. I began my MA in Reading Education immediately after finishing my undergraduate work. I was eager to learn more about the reading process and how to teach reading, particularly to struggling readers. A little more than a semester into my graduate program, I began teaching Title 1 Reading to third, fourth, and fifth graders. I fell in love with these children and also the teaching of reading through quality children’s literature.
Several years later I moved into a position as a Literacy Specialist for Burke County Schools, where I had been working as a reading teacher. This position was created to provide ongoing professional development to elementary teachers in fourteen elementary schools. I later began working more specifically with teachers in grades three, four, and five. I served as a coach and my job was to assist teachers in implementing “best practices in reading.” However, through the process of working very closely with teachers, I observed that many classrooms were missing the strategies and practices I knew to be effective: students reading instructional-level texts, opportunities for children to discuss quality children’s literature, higher level thinking skills and questioning, teacher modeling, small group instruction, meaningful vocabulary and comprehension instruction, metacognitive strategy instruction, and motivated engaged readers with a high level of self-esteem.
To help teachers think about a manageable way to incorporate effective reading instruction into their daily teaching routines, I took Harvey Daniel’s concept of literature circles and expanded it to include differentiated children’s literature as the reading material that is matched to students’ instructional reading levels. I incorporated meaningful reading, writing and discussion strategies into this literature circle format. These lessons were modeled for upper elementary teachers and I assisted them in implementing literature circles into their classrooms. However, I was faced with the dilemma of trying to help third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade teachers design and implement what I knew to be effective instructional practices, yet I had not implemented these practices myself in a third-, fourth-, or fifth-grade classroom setting. So I asked to be reassigned to a fifth-grade classroom, where I could develop and test these methods. I was assigned a fifth-grade self-contained classroom, and I implemented the literature circle curriculum I had been developing. I truly loved teaching fifth grade and engaging these readers, especially struggling readers with children’s literature that they could read, write about, and discuss. My aim was to create for these students Deweyan experiences from which they believed they were competent readers and writers and were motivated to read and succeed.
After teaching elementary school for nearly ten years, I was asked to serve as a teacher in residence and work in a collaborative partnership between Appalachian State University and Watauga County Schools. My role was to teach methods courses for the Reading and Language Arts Program and to work part time in one of the professional development schools where my methods students interned. In this role I taught preservice teachers and at the same time worked with their cooperating teachers. I also supervised preservice students who stayed in our professional development schools for student teaching. This opened the door for my doctoral work and then to my current position of Assistant Professor of Reading/Language Arts.
Through these experiences I have honed my teaching and my philosophy. I believe as May Sarton suggests in The Small Room, “that teaching involves the care and nurturing of souls.” Maxine Greene conceptualizes teaching as creating situations that compel people to reach beyond themselves, to act on their own initiatives, to enable others to imagine alternative realities or a more desirable order of interactions; only when we can imagine a different state of affairs, that things can be otherwise, are we able to perceive what is lacking and reach forward and beyond the present. I have experienced this in my own teaching. Furthermore, I reason as Maxine Greene that “Imagination is what, above all, makes empathy possible.” Imagination is the one cognitive capacity that empowers us to give credibility to alternative realities. I am committed to sharing with my students, the power of narrative, particularly in children’s literature, to nourish this capacity for developing more empathetic children.
It is my desire that my students become reflective practitioners—teachers who reflect on both the perspective of what it is like to be a learner as well as a teacher. In my teaching, it is my desire to help students develop their own understanding of the teaching/learning process and to always view themselves as learners. When teachers view themselves as learners, there is a sense of vulnerability that I believe children are able to sense. We are open and more perceptive to our students’ needs. I desire that my students become teachers who are aware of how they personally confront difficult situations and how they make decisions. I believe teachers are able to model this capacity for their students. Teachers, who support their students as they reason through situations, ponder alternatives, see possibilities, or play them out in their imagination, are teachers who develop in students an intellectual and moral capacity.
Cost Rica April 2008-Presenting to University Students…Cinderella
Here’s What I LOVE…
“Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw at it still. ” ~Henry David Thoreau
Fernie, BC
Rocky Mountain High…Racing the TransRockies Challenge 2006 was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! TransRockies is deemed the “toughest” mountain bike race in the world! The 7 Day Mountain Bike Stage Race traversed the Continental Divide –headed north– between British Columbia and Alberta. Dave and I competed against teams from over 20 nations. Climbing the most spectacular mountain ranges in the Canadian Rockies proved to be “challenging” and taxing, yet rewarding indeed! My husband and I worked so well together as a team! I loved every minute of this grueling, epic adventure! Check out the vistas!
http://www.transrockies.com/trc/index.htm
Morning in the “tent village.”
Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like
Lyrics from Bicycle Race by Queen
Racing professionally on the road bike brought me such great joy! I raced for Team Cheerwine 2005-2007. This team was such a great fit for me! I love my former teammates and I thoroughly enjoy racing my bicycle!
International Tour DeToona- July 2007
For the past few years, I have not raced professionally…instead, I’m keeping it fun! 
I race locally for Boone Bike and Touring; our Team (Boone Biking Betties/ Betty Project) won The Burn 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race in 2008 and placed 2nd this year. Go Betties!
I continue my surge as an endurance junkie and have competed in both the 12 and 6 Hour Cowbell Challenge in 2008 and 2009.
I 2008 I raced solo in the 12 hour event on my Singlespeed and I won. That was TOUGH. This past year I raced with the professional women and came in 4th…only a few minutes behind 3-time 24 Hour Solo Mountain Bike World Champion Rebecca Rusch. But my highlight was winning The Grizzly, a part of the The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. I am of Scottish descent, maiden name is McMillan.
I truly enjoy hiking the Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail with my husband Dave and our two dogs Sidi and Angelo. Reaching the pinnacle of the mountain reveals such majestic views.
Sweet Sidi and Angelo in his “bag.”
Squirrels make me smile. I enjoy watching them hop and scurry and settle down to chew on their favorite nuts! Here is Sammy Squirrel chewing on a black walnut; this is my view of Sammy from our dining room. Isn’t he great! If you are interested in squirrels, you might enjoy Lois Ehlert’s book Nuts To You!
I LOVE COWS…All colors and shapes. Check out the lashes and eyes on the brown beauty and the BOW on the black bovine. I am so proud of these photos. Both were taken during a bicycle adventure.
I am really keen on competing in endurance trail runs! They are very challenging, but they are rewarding too!
I love, love, love to ride my mountain bike! I embrace the challenge that the obstacles in the woods provide. It is such a blast ascending the climb and then descending the technical down-hills!
Cowbell Challenge 2008
Speaking of riding…my CX (cyclocross) bike brings me the best of both worlds. I can hit the pavement at fairly high speeds and hook up on the trails, too. RACING cyclocross is probably what I enjoy most. These races are 110% FSA-full speed ahead. They also include running over barriers and ascending run-ups as you shoulder your bike.
If you’re lucky, you actually get to shred a little in the sand pits…
Or muck around in the mud…
In 2009 I decided to race part of the US Grand Prix (USGP) of Cyclocross. These are national elite races with many current and former national and world champions. I feel blessed just to line up with these ladies.
- Portland, OR- USGP Photo: © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net
Another highlight of the season was traveling to Bend, OR for the US Cyclocross National Championships. Not only did I compete, but I was able to work with our ASU team…ASU WON THE D2 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP for the 2nd year in a row! I could not have been more proud of these students!
http://cxmagazine.com/fort-lewis-applachian-state-earn-collegiate-cyclocross-nationaltitles
http://www.news.appstate.edu/2009/12/18/cyclocross-national-championship/
- CX Nationals-ASU WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2009
I also brought home some hardware: Bronze Medal in my age group…you’ll have to guess!
http://cxmagazine.com/nationals-master-women-titles
- Sporting the bronze medal with Dave. Bend, OR 2009 USA CX National Championships
It wasn’t easy-a nasty crash on the line left me with less-than-desirable scars.
- OUCH…Wendy took silver and down I went.
But overall, my season was AMAZING and more times than not, I enjoyed racing.
- Hendersonville Grand Prix Photo: Ted Denning
MORE TO LOVE…
Speaking of loves, I find most any dessert hard to resist. These are just a few from my trip to Europe a few summers ago. Yes, I took pictures of my food.
and of course, ANY
Delicious sweets, particularly chocolates, lift my spirits immediately and bring a smile to my face.
- CSA Bounty
This beautiful bounty of food was supplied by the High Country CSA…please ask me about this concept–I cannot wait to share!
I used to enjoy indulging in hot cheesy pizza from the Mellow Mushroom. But now, I am trying to engage in a vegan lifestyle…taste bud tweaking is required.
Ahhh…READING!
Reading can take you anywhere and open your mind to endless possibilities. I thoroughly enjoy reading books…children’s books especially.
How do I act? Hummm….
When I am hiking, running, or riding my bike, I feel athletic. I love the sense of accomplishment that these activities inspire.
I am inquisitive and curious about life! I fancy asking questions and exploring issues and topics with which I would like to become more familiar. Conversations about books are often the impetus behind thoughtful investigations and moments spent pondering…
I believe I am pretty passionate about my husband and our dogs! I love them all so very much! They bring me such pleasure and serenity, and I cannot imagine my life without them.
- Angelo and Sidi sharing their favorite chair.
- Grandfather-Boy Scout Trail
I enjoy working with children. I get so excited and energized when I see children learning and reading and engaged in positive school experiences.
The Children of Saint Ambrosia-Nicoya, Costa Rica located in the Guanacaste Province.
Things I don’t like so much…
I dislike conflict and confrontations with other people because it makes me very uncomfortable…I just want everyone to feel confident and experience success in everyday endeavors.
Often, it seems that inconsiderate people drive extremely fast up and down the street where I live. I truly dislike this driving behavior. I become very disgruntled and agitated when this happens because I feel these drivers are careless and reckless. They could very easily cause an accident.
I am not very fond of Brussels sprouts. To me they taste very bitter, and I do not care for the texture of this vegetable.
Oh No! Not Again…There comes a time every month when I run out of money! This seems to be right after I pay all of my bills! Therefore, I do not like paying bills.
Many days I am away from home all day long. This means that my doggies are home alone. I have an aversion to leaving my dogs alone for long periods of time. I guess more than anything, it leaves me feeling rather melancholy and guilt ridden.
I look in the mirror and what do I see?
I consider myself an average looking girl with a slight build. I have blonde hair that on a good day may glisten in the sun.
My eyes are a deep sapphire blue. They do not hide very much, but rather they are a window into my heart and mind.
Sometimes I get up in the morning and I eat a breakfast made for champions. It is then that I feel as nimble as a deer when I am running or riding through the woods, gingerly hopping over the fallen warriors formerly known as trees.
I could be wrong, but I think smiling is contagious– contagious in a positive way! You may notice that I often wear a smile.
I have come to a place in my life, where I am comfortable in my own skin. I hope this is visible in the way that I look. I like to think you can see people who are happy being themselves!
I subscribe to Roald Dahl’s (1980) description of a lovely person as captured in his classic children’s book The Twits:
“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely” (p. 9).
To Be Continued…
