I have been teaching at Quest Academy, an independent gifted school in Palatine, IL, for 18 years and will be starting my 19th. I teach language arts and social studies in grades six through eight. I earned my Bachelor's degree in English and broad area social and political science from Wm. Penn College in Oskaloosa, IA.I have also earned a Master's Level Certificate in Gifted Education from Northwestern. I am a ProjectLITComm chapter leader since 2018-19. I have also taught two years in Eldon, IA, five years in Marceline, MO, and a year at BEACONS Academy. I have a strong passion choice reading, coordinating author visits, and challenging students in creative and applicable ways, which is why I am so passionate about project-based learning.