FAQs
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Every person is different. When I meet with someone the first time, I have to gauge how they are as an individual. You have to ease into the process a little bit so that the child is comfortable and is not afraid to make mistakes.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Besides my degree in Pyschology & Communications and involvement in literacy activities, I used to work with children's groups in a Domestic Violence shelter in the Chicago area. I served as a daycare provider for many years, have three children of my own that I taught to read, and had the opportunity to home-school one of my children for a year after moving to Indiana from Wisconsin. Also, I have a passion for writing, and when my children were younger, created stories with felt boards for them to move characters around and enjoyed seeing their excitement with fun activities like this.
- Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
My children participated in a competition called Battle of the Books when we lived in Wisconsin, and this past year, my daughter and I decided to start it up in the Evansville area for fourth and fifth graders. Children form teams of 6 to 10 members, read off of a list of 30-35 books in different genres (Non-Fiction, Fiction, Poetry, and Picture Books), and then compete in a series of "battles" where they answer questions involving the books. It was a great success and seeing the children's enthusiasm was extremely rewarding. This project took a year to plan and I'm still actively involved in making sure it continues.