After graduating from Western Michigan University with a degree in education, I taught first and second grade at Haverhill Elementary in Portage, Michigan, for 17 years; at that point, I became the school's reading consultant.  In 1992 I was trained as a Reading Recovery© specialist, one of eight serving the entire Portage district.  In this capacity, I worked with many lower elementary students individually and in small groups to bring them up to their appropriate reading levels.

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Following retirement, I continue to tutor students needing additional, personalized instruction. I have researched many book companies, purchasing and previewing new books that can be used used to enhance student learning. 

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In 1992 the children's librarian for the Portage District Library requested that mentor instructions for  Leveled Reading books be written, and I authored the first set.  In 2014, my editor, Diane Bishop, and I revised the instructions. In addition to the mentor instructions, each book has a label to be placed inside the front cover with suggestions for mentors that are specific to each book. These collections of books, available to be checked out by library patrons, made it possible for parents, grandparents, private tutors, and others to support a beginning reader effectively.  Since then, the project has expanded into eight additional Michigan libraries and several other elementary schools. This work was the basis for the BOOKSinBAGS© program, now available for purchase.  I live in Portage, Michigan, with my (mostly) patient husband, Ron, and numerous rescued cats.