Mary's County, Maryland. After earning a Bachelor's degree in English at Appalachian State University, she taught four years at the secondary level before becoming enthralled with how children learn to read. Encouraged to delve deeper, she extended her credentials through the University of Maryland to include teaching at the early childhood/elementary level, as well as completing an M. E. in Administration and Supervision. She worked for 27 years in St. Mary's County Public Schools, teaching grades PK - 5, as well as serving as an instructional resource teacher and as an assistant principal.