Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, I arrived in St. Louis to attend Washington University graduate school where I received an M.A.T. in English. I taught jounalism and English in both public and private high schools and when my youngest of four children began school, I returned to Washington University to complete a doctorate in education.

My interest in the identity development process, particularly of adolescent women, is reflected in my teaching focus on gendered learning and child and adolescent development.

For five years I co-directed Career Transitions Certification Program, a partnership with St. Louis Public School to prepare urban teacher leaders. Over 200 teachers in critical need areas such as science, math, art, music and special education now teach in the district. 

In the last two years, I have taught in China and Korea and been involved with bringing doctoral students to present at a conference in Thailand. We have much to learn from students and colleagues in Asia and I look forward to continue to learn about educational systems and cultures around the globe.