About
Heather was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota, and although she loves the beauty of this area – the lake, the North Shore, the state parks – she also loves to travel. In fact, she spent more than two years teaching English in Japan shortly after college graduation.
She has a passion for the written word in all its forms and wants her students to experience how powerful it can be. As an educator, it’s important for Heather to get to know her students and invest in their lives, following up with them and providing help they may need to navigate scholarship applications, publication prospects and other opportunities that may arise during their years as college students. After two decades as an educator, Heather still enjoys the classroom experiences of discussion, collaboration and inquiry. Communication is the heart of almost everything we do as humans; it is her privilege to continue to learn about and teach the skill and art of effective written communication.
Heather is married to a Minnesota State Trooper with whom she has two boys, Noah and Adam. They enjoy camping, traveling, cooking/baking and getting outdoors. They love living by Lake Superior and enjoy the beauty of this area. Heather has a great love for the written word, and some of my favorite works are Wuthering Heights, Tess of the d’Urbervilles, The Great Gatsby and Holy the Firm.
Research Interests
As a developmental educator and member of the National Association for Developmental Education (NADE), Heather has a keen interest in exploring strategies that allow at-risk populations the opportunity to succeed as students and professionals. Individuals who come into the university with little outside support and/or confidence as writers and students need a network of committed and skilled educators, tutors, counselors and mentors. Heather finds it imperative to stay current on the research related to best practices in the field of developmental education so she can deliver the best possible services to her students and do whatever is in her power to help them succeed.
Education
- 2000 – Master of Arts (M.A.) – Writing with an Emphasis in Creative Nonfiction, Illinois State University
- 1994 – Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) – Professional Writing, Bethel College