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I grew up in Southern Illinois, and went to great schools from kindergarten through a masters degree. I started writing poetry at Opdyke-Belle Rive Consolidated Grade School, and kept writing all the way through Mt. Vernon Township High School and Southern Illinois University (where I got a B.A. and M.A. in literature). Then I set off for the wild west, a.k.a. Missoula, Montana, for an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Montana.
I've been teaching in the UW Colleges since 1991, and here at UW-Richland since 1992. (Where's my 10-year pin?!) I can say with all honesty that I love my job. Great students, great colleagues, beautiful location....
I was honored to win the Alliant Energy/UW System Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award in 2001.
List of other Underkofler Award Winners: http://www.uwsa.edu/opid/awards/aeuwin.htm
Description of the Award: http://www.uwsa.edu/opid/opidtalk/sept01.htm
I have published more poetry than any other genre, but I also work in fiction, creative nonfiction, drama, and more scholarly articles related to teaching/creative writing issues.
I serve on a number of committees each year. For the year 2002-2003, I am serving on the English Department Executive Committee, Planning Committee, and August Derleth Prize Patrol. On the Richland Campus, I am chairing the Evaluation Committee, and I am a member of the Steering Committee. In the community, I am pleased to be a member of the Spring Green Literary Festival Board.
I live in Spring Green, Wisconsin with my husband Nathanael and our two cats. Nath's a talented singer / songwriter / photographer as well as an all-around good guy. The cats are, of course, very talented in the areas of body function, demolition, and the run-around-make-lots-of-noise game. I have an organic garden at our house, and my goal for the garden is always "an acceptable level of chaos." This might be my life motto, as well.