Creating access for underrepresented and at-risk students was my impetus for teaching. My teaching life gave me the opportunity to do just that. I concluded the work at the top of my game, leaving what U.S. News & World Report calls “the best public university in the world,” UC Berkeley. First generation students comprise 23% of the student body, 21% are transfer students, and 32% of freshman are Pell Grant recipients. My accelerated writing classes were primarily composed of underrepresented students who needed extra support, and in my classes they gained the skills to flourish. 100% of my students in my last classes said they would “recommend this instructor to others.” The average between the instructor related competency statistics’ means were 6.28 out of 7 (6.28 /7). To put this in context, the UC Berkeley average overall score is 5/7. Both of my supervisors are references, and have written glowing recommendations.

My seminars strengthened reading and writing skills for students who are less prepared in these areas, supporting retention and graduation rates. I taught 2008-2014 at UC Merced and 2014-2019 at Holy Names University. First-generation students composed 72% of undergraduates at UC Merced, and over 60% were Pell-qualified. The undergraduate population at HNU was comprised of 41% first-generation college students, and 53% were Pell-qualified. Increasing educational access to historically underserved people supports democracy. Spring 2021 I developed and lead a Memoir to College Workshop series for Cinnamon Girl. It provides young women of color with a reservoir of narratives for successful college and fellowship applications.

MAIN UNIVERSITY TEACHING

University of California, Berkeley, 2019-2020
Lecturer in the College Writing Programs and Fall Program for Freshman

Holy Names University, Oakland, 2014-2019
The Writer’s Craft Director, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor

University of California, Merced, 2008-2014
Lecturer in the Merritt Writing Program

University of Windsor, 2005-2006
Visiting Writing Program Director

In addition to my main teaching positions I taught developmental, transfer-level, and graduate classes at CSU Maritime, Berkeley City College, Merritt College, the College of Marin, Foothill College, Santa Clara University and Johns Hopkins University (CTY).

For a full list of classes taught go here.