Question: On what subject(s) are you an authority?

When people ask where my authority comes from, I don’t point to just one thing. For me, it’s a mix of real-world experience, education, and the ups and downs of life that have shaped how I lead, teach, and connect with others. My path hasn’t been a straight line — it’s more like a few meaningful intersections that have helped me grow in different ways.

1. Journalism and Communications

This is where it all started — and where it’s stayed. I’ve spent most of my professional life working in and around journalism and communication.

• I got the bug early, hanging around my dad’s newsroom and later editing the sports section of my college paper at Stetson.

• I made it official with a Communications degree (with a Journalism focus) from the University of North Florida, and I sharpened those skills in the U.S. Air Force, where I worked on the base newspaper as a Public Affairs Specialist.

• Over the years, I’ve been a copy editor at a daily paper (Valley Morning Star), an associate editor for Georgia Magazine, and even a Vice President of Communications for a ministry, where I also edited its magazine, ACTS 29.

• Since 2019, I’ve been teaching high school journalism — sharing what I’ve learned and helping students find their voice.

2. Faith and Ministry

My faith has been part of my life since 1984, and over time, it’s become something I’ve been able to lead with, not just live out.

• I’ve served as a Parish Administrator, Minister of Youth and Children, and Day School Director at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church — all roles that combined spiritual leadership with a lot of hands-on administration and care.

• Later, I worked with Episcopal Renewal Ministries/ACTS 29, where my faith and communications background came together in a really powerful way.

3. Teaching and Mentoring

These days, I teach 8th and 9th grade English and high school journalism at Darnell-Cookman — and I love it.

• I’m in the classroom every day, designing lessons, managing energy, and mentoring kids as they grow — not just academically, but personally.

• My earlier years in youth ministry gave me a deeper understanding of how to walk alongside students, especially through the middle and high school years.

4. Real Life

Beyond titles and job descriptions, a big part of my authority comes from life itself. I’ve had to start over, pivot careers, and rebuild after loss. I’ve moved around the country, shifted between military and civilian life, and navigated the transitions that come with marriage, divorce, parenthood, and now grandparenthood.

Through all of that, I’ve learned how to adapt, stay grounded in faith, and keep showing up for the people I love — especially my daughter and my grandson. Those life lessons don’t show up on a resume, but they’ve shaped how I lead, teach, and care for others in ways that no classroom ever could.