I am a writer who works extensively with historical documents and researcher who embraces learning for life. I love making a subject engaging, interesting and ultimately seeing others succeed in their endeavors.
After earning my Eagle Scout Rank, I directed a Cub Scout camp's Nature department. I created my own curriculum, structured around existing needs, that was educational, fun and that the campers said was really cool. In my spare time, I am either outdoors or in a museum.
I volunteer with the Smithsonian Institute and have transcribed handwritten historic documents ranging from Civil War Era Medical Documents to Tuskegee Airmen flight records.
I currently volunteer with the Heinz History Center as a National History Day Judge and critique written contest entries submitted by middle and high school students. The contest requires formulating a historical argument, researching information, interpreting primary and secondary sources and presenting significant written essay content. I ensure that my written responses to students are educational, geared to their understanding and ultimately help every student improve their critical thinking, historical research and writing skills.
I am a graduate of the University of Missouri. I earned a Master of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Arts in History, with minors in Art History and Political Science. As a member of the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, an academic association that facilitates scholarly research and collaboration about U.S. and International Politics, Government and History, I served in multiple student roles as a fellow. I assisted with launching the institute's student published research journal and contributed an article. I earned a certificate in Constitutional Democracy jointly offered by the institute and the University of Missouri.
My Master's degree emphasis encompasses American History up to 1865 and I have two years of experience tutoring college students individually and in groups while serving as a teaching assistant. I provided additional instruction and assistance to students enrolled in professor led lecture courses. Among topics I covered in my sessions are understanding historical event significance, how to research and interpret published sources and instruction on developing, writing and editing papers or written work in History and other Political Science disciplines.