About Me

Who Am I?


Hello! My name is Carey, and this is my blog.

I am a lifelong student of English Literature, a rabid reader, and a daily writer.

I dropped out of two colleges between my 18th and 19th birthdays, and finally went back to college in my mid-thirties. I just graduated from Webster University in St. Louis with my BA in Education (emphasis in Secondary English) and received my state certification to teach. I graduated summa cum laude from the University with Honors in Education also (accomplishments I am very proud of since I took a 14-year break from formal education before returning).

I am currently teaching as a long-term substitute in the Communication Arts Department at a wonderful school in South County, St. Louis and attending graduate school full-time with a double class load.

Although I am technically still a high school English teacher without a permanent job, I am so much more than that. I have raised two kids of my own and worked with teenagers my whole life. I have worked on the periphery of education as a tutor in all core high school classes and college-level composition. I have helped my kids and their families navigate FAFSA forms and college applications. I have assisted with resumes and job applications. I have been a confidant, a counselor, and a cheerleader to many young people in my life. That is why deciding to go into the field of education was such an easy choice for me - I am passionate about helping kids learn and grow, not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well.

I started this blog because:
  • I have strong beliefs about what role education should play in the lives of our children.
  • I am in love with the English language, English literature, and all of the humanities.
  • I think holistically and cross-curricularly is the only way to teach.
  • I believe that teaching is the most noble of professions and those who are involved in education should always be pushing themselves to reach the highest standards of professionalism, compassion, and ethical behavior.
  • I know that great teachers are so much more than simply subject area specialists, and I want to challenge myself and others to think more, do more, and be more.
  • I think the idea of "putting kids first" has gotten lost in paperwork and high-stakes testing and has been displaced by disenchanted educators who have forgotten why they went into teaching in the first place.
  • I believe in the power of school/home/community relationships.
  • I know that if any real change is going to take place in education, these relationships are the place to start.
  • I think it is crucial to treat adolescents as young adults while also remembering they are still kids.
  • I have dealt with the world of education as a student, as a parent, as a student of education, and as a professional (in that order), and I feel I have a distinctive insight because of it.
  • I have worked with at-risk students and had one living in my house (my son) which definitely gives me a unique view of this population of kids.

Hopefully, this gives you a better idea about who I am and where I fit in the world of education. I invite any and all questions and comments, and I do hope you enjoy the blog or at least can find something useful in it. :)
This is basically how I feel about being a teacher.

3 comments:

  1. Just happened to stumble upon this blog, and I applaud your dedication to education. You have some incredible things here, and I'm glad you are choosing to share them with the world!

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  2. Great resources. Do you have any other teaching resources for higher level thinking beyond those you shared for Lord of the Flies?

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    1. Thanks Julia. Yes, I have tons of resources. Designing unit plans is a passion of mine. I am working on organizing some more stuff to add to the blog. Are you looking for anything in particular as far as literature or grade level?

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