My Story
My path to educational therapy started with a love of language, a first grade poetry assignment to write a poem and submit it to the school poetry contest. My classmates groaned and labored over their first lines but my words surged onto the page. My poem, “When All The Trees Are Still” won the prize and I became a poet in my young mind.
When I was sixteen, I wrote a pantoum, a Malaysian form of poetry from the fifteenth century that awarded me the honor of sharing the stage with Russian poet, Yevgeny Yevtushenko. Never before had I heard such artistry and passion in the spoken word. I now understood the elegance of diction and the impact of a brilliant performance. My appreciation for the power of words, both written and spoken, widened.
Having identified my love for language and expression, I hugged the edges of the Beat Generation and performed my poetry at coffee houses up and down the California coast. At this time, my younger brother became ill. Too sick to attend school, he stayed home and worked with a private tutor. I joined his sessions when I could. I was in awe of the focus and intimacy a one-on-one learning experience provided, a depth not easily reached in a busy classroom.
The following years were advantageous in developing the constructive and compassionate skills that make me an exceptional educational therapist. As a parent, I learned patience, how to cultivate respect and authority, and the delicate and timely unfolding of a child’s development. As a classroom teacher and learning specialist, I learned to listen, infuse teaching with humor and surprise, and to be inspirational. As a calligrapher, I learned the history behind each letter and numeral, how to express idea and emotion in a letterform and the beauty and interplay of line and space. Being a visual artist, I have always used observation to gather information, learn discernment, make comparisons and formulate opinions. I hold color and form in high regard. I encourage brilliance, flair and individual style. Being a hang gliding instructor taught me to be present, alert and clear. It taught me to attune to the changeable conditions around me, to make wise decisions and small adjustments. It taught me the elation of soaring and the dependability of solid ground. Integrating Intuition Medicine into my practice has enabled me to effectively support the well-being of my students. I have the technical tools to see hidden obstacles and a magnified lens for finding effective strategies to move through them. As an herbalist, I hold an incredible reverence for the plant world and maintain that all wisdom can be found in the garden. I infuse oils with beneficial herbs for soothing anxiety, uplifting spirits, and revitalizing attention. My unique perspective is born of all these experiences.
Today you will find me in my studio overlooking the glorious redwood tree in West San Rafael.. I blend my expertise into dynamic tutorial sessions to help students find their way safely through the maze.