I am a poet and nonfiction writer. My nonfiction writing is primarily focused on memoir and journalistic arts-and-culture pieces. I also perform my pieces, most recently as a featured performer for the Iowa City Poetry Slam, Iowa City Poetry’s Poetry in Motion show, and Akwi Nji’s Drop the Mic and New Bo Po Jam shows.

I am a retired high school English language arts teacher. At Cedar Rapids Washington High School, I served as the advisor for the Washington Literary Press, which annually publishes four editions of its zine and one journal of arts and literature. I been able to continue to stay involved in education by teaching May term classes at Scattergood Friends School and poetry workshops for the Free Generative Workshop series and the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center.

As a member of the Iowa City Poetry advisory council, I have helped to conceive and coordinate two ongoing projects: Iowa City Poetry Alfresco (an outdoor reading event) and Write at the Stanley (a generative ekphrastic writing workshop).

I’m also able to continue my educational skills and interest as a trained volunteer docent at the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.