This is my 23rd and final year teaching at Lagrange Middle School. I've taught both sixth and seventh grade. Originally from Staten Island, NY, I attended C.W. Post/Long Island University on a full softball scholarship, and then got my Master of Science degree in Teaching from Iona College (no scholarship there. I paid for that one!) In between, though, I worked five wonderful years for ABC News in NYC in their radio news network engineering division. A professional writer, I have five published stage plays being performed around the world, and lots of stories in newspapers and magazines. I am also a professional screenwriter. Hoping my Christmas movie will be out in 2026! I was the director of drama and musicals here at LMS for nine years, and produced five of my own original plays. I have also taught English and writing at Dutchess Community College. I love sharing my love of writing with my students of any age. I've lived right here in Lagrangeville with my family for the past 30 years. We are all waiting for the Mets to win the World Series again. (We're very patient, but it's getting rough.) Besides writing, I enjoy playing pickleball. 

We will read a lot, write a lot and use all kinds of media to practice analyzing and interpreting messages. We will watch everything from Spongebob Squarepants to Disney's Mulan and The Twilight Zone to The Iron Giant. We will read everything from Dr. Seuss to award-winning middle grade novels like The War that Saved My Life. Please trust that anything we do has a sound educational purpose, and my goal is to teach the kids that stories are everywhere and ELA helps them understand themselves and their world better.

Respect and kindness rule in my classroom. Well, I rule, actually, but I expect everyone to show respect and kindness to others. :) Don't like reading and writing? It's okay. It is my job to change your mind. I will do my best. Promise. All you have to do is try.