Currently retired after 31 years as a classroom teacher, I possess a Masters + 30 in secondary English Education. In addition, I am certified to teach social studies/history, gifted education, speech arts, and theatre arts. A native of Alabama, my last 25 years in teaching was spent with Fairfax County (VA) Schools, the tenth- largest school system in America, for which I also served as an oral and written communications specialist and, among other honors, received the Outstanding Teacher Award..