I suppose I am embarking upon what some call the “encore career”. After raising children and retiring from a teaching career in the public school classroom, I hope to publish some children’s books that have been forming in my mind for years.

After earning my Masters Degree at UNC-Chapel Hill, I started my professional career in both early childhood education and in special education. I taught for over 25 years in our local district. I loved teaching ancient history and reading and writing skills, especially using novels.

As a family, some of our most precious memories with our children involved just sitting and reading books. When I think back on those foundational younger years, I have such warm memories of slower times and sweet stories. Even as a middle school teacher, I found that older students still love a good story with meaning and value. I imagine that for parents today, time with children just being still, away from devices, is both a rarity and a challenge.

My hope and prayer is that many families will continue to create time with their children to sit and read, to imagine and talk, to learn and listen. We’ve got cabinets of books to share in our home. I was fortunate to grow up in a home where reading was encouraged and books were plentiful! A few more books that teach integrity in a humorous way and reveal the wonders of creation are what I hope to bring to the table. I’m feeling nudged for such a time as this!

~ My first little reader, in days of old ~