HIGHLIGHTS Teacher Certification from Yale Teacher Prep Program / Master of Arts from Wesleyan University / B.F.A. from Hartford Art School Creative Writing teacher at Cooperative Arts & Humanities High for 20 years Experienced in curriculum development, training, and implementation for students and adults Director of Publications for Co-op Creative Writing Department / Adviser for literary magazine and newspaper Professional artist, writer, editor, designer / 25 years experience in publishing / 12 published books for children Visual Artist: Work in solo and group shows, as well as in Yale Haas Art Library Collection Novelist: Debut novel, "Stretch," published in 2020
TEACHING Adjunct Professor of English, Gateway Community College Yale Tutor for Daily Themes Course Veteran teacher of English, Journalism, and Creative Writing Workshop leader (Freshwater Poetry Festival / Quinnipiac University Creativity Conference / CCCC Writing Workshops for disadvantaged mothers / Memoirs at the Arts & Literature Laboratory in New Haven / Teacher training sessions) Yoga Teacher (Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, City of New Haven Department of Elderly Services, and private practice)
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT Member of NHPS Superintendent's TIGER Team: Helped develop "Road Map to Reopening New Haven Public School 2020-2021" Developed curriculum for Coop Creative Writing classes, including: Publishing Your Work, Online Magazine, Co-op Publishing House Created / administrated first high school newspaper on the web in the New Haven District: www.coopvoices.com. Co-developed Creative Writing Standards, Standards-based 4-year Curriculum Map, and related courses and policies for Coop’s Creative Writing Department
BUSINESS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT Publications Director / Adviser / Publisher Produced publications (conceptualization, graphic design, writing, editing, publishing, marketing, and managing staff): six issues of Etcetera, 15 issues of Metamorphosis, dozens of issues of Cooperative Voices. Publisher/Managing Editor for www.coopvoices.com, The Wise Ones Once Said, and A Better Place Editor and Publisher--Etcetera Journal Solicited submissions for this twice-yearly literary journal; responded to queries, corresponded with listing services, reviewers and other ad sources; interviewed on WPKN-FM and The Book Authority. Spotlight in Poets and Writers Market. Owner of East Rock Coaching and Consulting, LLC Personal coaching and consulting business Project Coordinator—City Wide Open Studios, New Haven Coordinated 350 artists to show their work over a 3-week period to thousands of viewers. Involved marketing, grant-writing, media (TV and radio) interviews, securing buildings, entry forms, and publicity. Product Development Conceptualized product, hired illustrator, and successfully marketed the 2002 Success Calendar—a wall calendar with humorous cartoons and inspiring quotes. Human Resource Manager—Kripalu Center Manager of two departments. Planned and implemented special events. Produced monthly newsletter for staff of 325. Developed tracking systems to monitor participation in organizational programs. Assistant to the Director of Staff Development/Board of Directors—Kripalu Center Responsible for in-house communications, consultation, and project/event management. Implemented many successful workshops, planning sessions, and retreats catering to 15–180 participants Poetry Contest Judge California Chapparal Poets—1998 and 1999
WRITING & EDITING Published Books and Curriculum Stretch: A Novel Rap as a Modern Poetic Form, 2003, academic paper published by Yale University How Do I Become a TV Reporter, 2003, book published by Thomson Learning How Do I Become a Veterinarian, 2003, book published by Thomson Learning How Do I Become a Firefighter, 2002, book published by Blackbirch Press How Do I Become an EMS Worker, 2002, book published by Blackbirch Press How Do I Become an Architect, 2002, book published by Blackbirch Press How Do I Become a Chef, 2002, book published by Blackbirch Press How Do I Become a Police Officer, 2002, book published by Blackbirch Press The2002 Success Calendar, calendar published by East Rock Coaching & Consulting, LLC Made in the USA: Newspapers, 2000, book published by Blackbirch Press Made in the USA: CDs, 2000, book published by Blackbirch Press Made in the USA: Bikes, 2001, book published by Blackbirch Press Made in the USA: Pens, 2001, book published by Blackbirch Press
Copy Writer and Editor for Books and Publications Freelance editor for 3 Hole Press Freelance editor for three annual editions of The Illustrator Wow! Book by Sharon Steuer Freelance editor: Adobe PDF Master Class by Pattie Belle Hastings, Bjørn Akselsen & Sandee Cohen Editor for children’s educational books by Blackbirch Press Freelance article editor for www.finance.com Editor and publisher of Etcetera, a small press international literary and arts journal Editorial assistant at The New Haven Register—Features Department and Metro Desk Selected, edited, and wrote material for The Spirit Journal, an international quarterly literary journal Edited the writings of Amrit Desai, an internationally recognized authority on yoga
Writer for News, Products, and Marketing Reporter for the Arts Paper, 2024 Reporter for the Connecticut Black Voice News. Wrote and edited for Kripalu publications, audio tapes, and videotapes sold internationally, wrote news stories, reviews, and interviews for marketing publication called The Network News
Creative Writer: Poetry and Prose Essay published in The Feminist Utopia Project by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff, 2019 Essay published in Our Red Book by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff, 2022 Honorable Mentions: Connecticut Writing Project Teacher-Consultant Contest (2020 and 2019) Work published in Medium, Poet’s Park, Dirigible, The Spirit Journal, The Sun, New Haven Arts,Etcetera, and more
GRAPHIC AND FINE ARTS Grant Recipient: New Haven Cultural Vitality Grant, Mayor's Grant, 2022 Arts Council of Greater New Haven Artist Corps Grant, 2022 Collab Small Business Grant, 2021 Surdna Grant to produce a body of work entitled “Ephemera,” 2012
Fine Art Co-curator: Our Bodies Ourselves at ECOCA in New Haven, 2019 Work in "our Bodies, Ourselves" group show at ECOCA, 2019 Work in "Complicit: Erasure of the Body" group show at Yale Divinity School, 2019 "Side by Side" Group show at Perspectives: The Gallery at Whitney Center, 2015 Work is in the Yale Haas Special Collection Solo show at The Tiny Gallery at Creative Arts Workshop, 2015 Solo show at The Grove, 2012 Artwork has been displayed in local and international shows, galleries, stores, restaurant, theater, and commissioned for publication Award-Winning Graphic Designer: School Library Journal ad award; JRC News award; New Haven Register Front Page Design Award Fourteen Years Experience as a Freelance Graphic Artist: Projects involved book layout, newspaper layout, brochures, newsletter production, posters, signage, invitations, illustrations, and resume, letterhead and ad design
EDUCATION AND TRAINING High School English state certification from the Yale Teacher Prep Program, Yale University, 2004 Master of Arts from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 2004 Fellow at the Yale Teachers Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 2003 Connecticut Writing Project Teacher-Consultant Fellow, UConn, Storrs, Connecticut, 2005 Vermont Studio Center Writing Fellowship: Summer 2005 Wesleyan Writers Conference, 2002 B.F.A. University of Hartford Art School, Hartford, Connecticut, 1987 Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, New Jersey, 1983–1985 (Major in marketing and business) Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, Maine, 1995 Certified Yoga Teacher: Kripalu Center, Lenox, Massachusetts, 1995
PAST BOARD MEMBERSHIPS Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis—Executive Board Member Network, Inc. Women in Business—Secretary