Degree(s)M.A. University of Phoenix B.S. Austin Peay State University
Other Information
2007
Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Susan has called Illinois home since 2001. Before teaching language arts and reading, she taught general music in public and parochial elementary schools. Her undergraduate degree is in Music (Vocal Performance) from Austin Peay State University. She spent five years singing with the Air Force band, performing in the Mid-Atlantic States and throughout Europe, where she married her husband Guy. When her son Matthew was born, Susan opted to be a stay-at-home mother during his first few years. She worked part-time as a freelance writer for the Dayton Daily News, and after her husband accepted military orders to Hawaii, some of her columns were published in the Honolulu Star Bulletin. While living in Hawaii, Susan taught K-6 music at Aliamanu and Pearl Harbor Elementary Schools. She completed her master's degree in elementary education after her husband was stationed at Scott Air Force Base. Before joining the CDS family, she taught language arts for three years at Fort Bowman Academy in Cahokia, Illinois. Susan was selected as a Fellow in the Piasa Bluffs Writing Project's 2008 Invitational Summer Institute (ISI). The Piasa Bluffs Writing Project is an affiliate of the National Writing Project; the longest-standing professional development organization in the United States. NWP's goal is to have a highly qualified teacher of writing within the reach of every student. Susan continues to participate in the Piasa Bluffs Writing Project through renewals, and as a member of the Leadership Committee.
