Origin

Many of Jennifer's favorite early memories include books: running home from kindergarten so her mother could read aloud from a full-length version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; her first-grade teacher's expressive voice while reading Ronald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the class after recess; the author of the Clifford books-Norman Bridwell-visiting her second grade class to discuss his writing and illustrate "The Big Red Dog" right before her eyes. Also, Jennifer recalls her family, from her mother and aunts to her grandparents, swimming in a sea of books, especially over summer break when a visit to the library generated the same excitement as stopping at a Dairy Queen. Certainly this nurturing played a role in her desire to write. As early as age thirteen, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Jennifer declared, "An author." Like so many writers, Jennifer can't remember a time she didn't write; can't remember a time that she didn't appreciate the power of words. She remains amazed by how much a mere word can convey, like love or hate-acceptance or rejection. She earned a B.S. in Education (Major: English) from Indiana University Bloomington and an M.A. in Liberal Studies (Concentration: English) from Valparaiso University. She pursued her interests in marketing while working in the business sector and has taught English at both the high school and college level. Currently, she works as the Media Specialist for Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Valparaiso, Indiana. Her poetry, fiction, and essays have appeared in various literary publications, including The Cresset, Etchings, Flying Island, Plath Profiles (multiple issues), and Valparaiso Poetry Review (multiple issues), among others. In addition, one of her poems appeared in the print anthology, Best of Flying Island, 2014.