Teaching/Editing

As a teacher, I believe my role is to serve as a mentor, fostering a classroom where students feel empowered to express themselves openly and shape their own learning journey. I emphasize collaboration, creativity, and curiosity, building a community where every voice matters. My approach centers on process over product: encouraging drafts, substantial revision, and reflection to help students grow without the pressure of perfection. I guide students to cultivate their unique voices through reading widely, researching their passions, and embracing creative risk-taking. By challenging students with imaginative prompts and encouraging experimentation, I aim to instill resilience and confidence in their craft, preparing them to approach writing as a lifelong, evolving pursuit.

As a literary submissions reviewer for The Florida Review, I engage closely with emerging voices, evaluating poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for publication. Additionally, I contribute to The Navigator as a public affairs writer for the United States Coast Guard Auxiilary, translating missions and stories into clear, engaging narratives for broad audiences. My editorial approach values attentiveness, respect for the writer's intention, and an eye for the emotional undercurrents that make a piece memorable. 

In every editing role, I focus on uplifting the work while maintaining the writer's unique voice. I believe good editing is less about imposing rules and more about asking the right questions -- helping a piece reach its fullest potential through thoughtful dialogue and careful attention to craft.