I started my writing career as a beat reporter right out of college; less than six months later I was promoted to Lifestyle Editor. The daily demands of a newspaper taught me to compose quickly (yet accurately) while immediately attracting (and keeping) readers' attention. I eventually became the correspondent for the local school district and was exclusively responsible for its public relations image. Now as a Language Arts teacher, I employ all of the skills I have learned to help my students develop and fine-tune their writing skills, to encourage them to tell their own stories with finesse as I share mine with them.