After beginning my working career in the media (radio and newspapers), I worked in public relations for a small college in North Carolina for several years. About 1995 I wanted a change of careers and went back to school to get my teaching certification and later began working at an Alternative High School with at-risk students. Those were the best years of my life in terms of creativity and self-confidence! When the school was folded back into the regular high school, I got my master's in Curriculum and Instruction and began working for the Teacher Education Institute. With TEI I continue to write and develop course content and teach other teachers both face to face in seminars and online. Working with TEI has given me the flexibility to co-own and operate a season business (Christmas trees and wreaths) that I truly enjoy...it's the best of both worlds!