-BS in Education, UW Madison
-Teaching experience at Cedarburg School District
-Masters in Curriculum and Instruction
-Program Development  at Port Washington-Saukville School District
-Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher
-Teaching experience at Balancing Arts Studio, and other studios both local and internationally
-Somatics Practitioner
-Reiki Master Teacher
-Certified Mediation Instructor
-Thai Yoga Level I Certified
-Award Winning Published Author
-Freelance Editor, Willow Words Literary Agency
-Literary Agent, Willow Words Literary Agency
-Founder: Willow Words Literary Agency. Willow Words Writing Service. Balancing Arts Yoga Studio. Moontide Designs. Meraki Investments. North Shore Academy of the Arts, Inc.

SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE

TEACHING PROFESSIONAL, LEADER, CURRICULUM WRITER, and AUTHOR, with over 25 years combined experience in non-profit and for-profit leadership, education and the creative arts. Expertise in teaching, writing, editing, English, teaching strategies, instructional design, curriculum and instruction.  Skills include yoga/mindfulness instruction and ecotherapy. 

EDUCATION

Masters of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction, National Louis University, Chicago, IL, 1992

Bachelor of Science degree in Education; English minor, University of WI – Madison, 1989

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

TEACHING/CURRICULUM WRITING

·      Taught elementary education (1^st– 3^rdgrade) in Cedarburg School district for 7 years. All core subject areas

·      Coordinated Gifted and Talented program in Cedarburg School District.

·      Wrote and Taught Gifted and Talented program at Port Washington-Saukville School District

·      Nominated in 1994 for Herb Kohl Education award in elementary school teaching.

·      Developed and taught summer art/theater workshops and classes at University of West Bend -Theater Camp, Milwaukee Schools – Foster Kids program, Schauer Center, and Bayshore Town Center.

·      Wrote, designed and implemented yoga meditation curriculum for Sheboygan School District.

·      Currently teach group and private meditation, yoga, and stress management classes and courses

·      Wrote curriculum and implemented programming for NSAA

·      Wrote curriculum for Imagine Me Preschool Program

·      Wrote curriculum for three school districts

·      Wrote creative non-fiction books that aligned with the common core standards, earning the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students award, 2017

WRITING

·      Composed, edited and critiqued business, non-profit and academic curriculum including website content, marketing print material, grants and educational resources.

·      Award winning author; wrote and published multiple books and articles, including Good Trick, Walking Stick!, Sleeping Bear Press. 

·      Currently serve as a writing coach, editor and critiquer through Willow Words Writing Services.

·      Five additional books to be released by 2021

·      Currently hired to write a book for Family Sharing

·      Currently hired as a writing tutor

LEADERSHIP

·      Founded 4 creative companies with over 20 years combined successful growth in operations including:

o   North Shore Academy of the Arts-visual, performing, literary arts

o   Balancing Arts Yoga and Well-Being studio

o   Willow Words Writing Services

o   MoonTide Designs

·      Led North Shore Academy of the Arts for over 18 years; produced and directed over 36 performances reaching thousands of community members ranging from pre-school to senior citizens.

·      Currently own and direct Life-Artistry, a multi-faceted arts organization (writing, editing, yogic arts and nature inspired art) that inspires people to realize their centered, empowered and creative self.

WORK EXPERIENCE

2000 to Present

President

North Shore Academy of the Arts and Stagekids – Cedarburg, WI

2015 to Present

President

Life-Artistry:  Willow Words Writing Services, Balancing Arts Studio and MoonTide Designs

Grafton, WI

2015 to Present

Author

Willow Words Writing Services, a creative branch of Life-Artistry

2008 to Present

Artist and Jewelry Designer

MoonTide Designs, a creative branch of Life-Artistry

2005 to Present

Yoga/Well Being Instructor

Balancing Arts Studio, a creative branch of Life-Artistry

2004 to 2005

Gifted & Talented Programming

Port Washington School District, Port Washington, WI

1989 to 1996

Elementary Teacher & Gifted & Talented Coordinator

Cedarburg School District, Cedarburg, WI

PUBLISHING CREDITS

Good Trick, Walking Stick! Sleeping Bear Press; (July 1, 2016)

Awards:
  2018 Magnolia Book Awards 
  Short-listed, 2018 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 List, 
  Winner, 2017 Eureka! Gold Award, 
  Winner, 2016 Growing Goods Kids-Excellence in Children’s Literature Award

Reviews:

 Kirkus Reviews – Good Trick, Walking Stick! Reviewed on January 15, 2016

 Booklist – Good Trick Walking Stick! Reviewed on February 1, 2016

 Picture Book Depot, Reviewed Feb. 20, 2016, by Rita Lorraine

 From nationally syndicated column Books to Borrow…Books to Buy

 Reviewed by Raif, Age 6 Good Trick, Walking Stick! Posted in Book Reviews, Children’s, May 2016 

On with the show-a Guide for Directors and Actors, Libraries Unlimited (March 30, 2005)

Substance Abuse, The Ultimate Teen Guide, Scarecrow Press (July 11, 2013)

How to Organize Your Classroom
Publisher: Teacher Created Resources; New edition (June 1, 1999)

ISBN-10: 1576905136

The Mindfulness Journal, Peaces of My Day

Publisher: Self

Magazine Articles Published in:

Yoga International: 

• Highlights for Children
• Weekly Reader, Read
• Story Friends
• Family Fun
• Local Newspapers

• Soar High Dragonfly, March 15, 2019
• The Kid and the Chameleon, April 1, 2019
• The Kid and the Chameleon Sleep Over,  April 1, 2019
• The Kid and the Chameleon Go to School, Fall, 2019
• My Mindful Walk with Grandma, 2020
• The Circle of Family Sharin, 2019
• Light the Sky, Firefly!

CERTIFICATION

·       Eco-therapy Course Certified          

·       Experienced Registered Yoga Instructor 

·       Certified Meditation Instructor

·      Reiki Master Teacher

·      Thai I Level Yoga Certified

·      Reflexology Certified

·      Yoga Nidra