Professional Biography
Education
I have a doctorate in reading/language arts education from Arizona State University. My masters degree is from the University of Cincinnati in Deaf education and my bachelors degree is in early childhood education from the City University of New York. I am a life-long learner and I frequently take online courses in business topics, such as SEO, web design and social networking.
Writing Experience in the Education Field
I have been published in both scholarly and applied international educational journals, including American Annals of the Deaf, the BC Journal of Special Education and the Reading Teacher. See Curriculum Vita for complete list of publications.
Writing Samples - Education Field (PDF files)
Writing Experience in Technology
I have a personal, as well as professional, interest in computers. I have been using computers for over 30 years and I run my own publishing and writing business on Mac computers and software. In the past 3 years, I have written 10 ebooks on Macintosh software and many articles and tutorials on Mac computers and software. In addition, I have two websites/blogs with articles, reviews, tips, and tutorials related to Mac computers.
Writing Samples - Technology
- How to Buy Computer Equipment that Lasts (PDF file)
- Finding a Mac Friendly Web Host (HTML file)
- Creating Greeting Cards with iPhoto '08 (HTML file)
Website Writing and Blogging Experience
I enjoy writing for the web and I have several websites and blogs on my hobbies and non-professional interests. I write mostly researched and informative posts on these sites.
One site and one blog are on Broadway and movie musicals. I started these sites because of my love and passion for musical theater and film musicals, especially those from 1950 to 1980.
Writing Samples - Musicals Website and Blog (HTML files)
Another new blog that I started focuses on world cultures and it includes posts on festivals, holidays, foods, and music of different cultures. I have lived in several different cultural environments and I am always interested in learning more about other cultures' traditions and history. My own heritage is multicultural (Austrian, Hungarian, Polish, American, Jewish, and a touch of Russian) and I have traveled all over the United States, in Europe and to many cities and sites in Israel, where I currently live.
Writing Samples - Cultures Blog (HTML files)
My newest website is an informative blog on President-elect Obama's new administration. I have always been interested in politics and I closely followed this year's US election for over a year. Reading posts from other blogs and sites, I noticed that most include biased reports, opinions and speculation and I wanted to create an informative source free from biases, rumors and judgmental posts. When this blog is more fully developed, I would like to offer it as a resource to schools and educational organizations.
Writing Samples - President-elect Obama Blog (HTML files)
Research Experience
In 1991, I won an award from the International Reading Association for my dissertation on early literacy development of Deaf children. Following that research, I worked with a teaching colleague on research on literature-based literacy education in a middle school setting. As a university professor, I often collaborated with graduate students on similar research projects. My most recent research was on reading and writing of university students, primarily in the area of English as a foreign language.
Writing Samples - Research Projects (PDF files)
Teaching Experience
I have over 35 years of teaching experience on all grade levels. I taught advanced writing courses for 5 years at the university level. I also taught courses in linguistics, including basic English syntax, and courses in teacher education. In addition, I have many years of teaching experience in special education at both the elementary and middle school levels.