About Mrs. English

First, I like helping people, and I value the importance of clear communication.  Second, I have some experience with grammar, writing, and teaching, not as much as some but more than others.

Regarding experience, I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Western Illinois University and a teaching certificate with an emphasis in both language arts and social studies and with an endorsement for teaching gifted students.  Although I have not had a full-time, paid teaching position, I used to substitute for grades pre-school through high school, including a four-month fill-in position.  For multiple years, I also taught summer school classes for “slow,” regular, and/or gifted students at the local elementary school and/or the summer program at W.I.U.

In 1993 I began homeschooling my children.  I continue with my youngest and will begin with some of my grandchildren in 2020.  During this time, I have also led some homeschool co-op classes and served as a director/tutor for 9 years for a classical Christian community program.  Additionally, I served as a regional support representative for the same classical program to help other communities establish and maintain a similar program.

My teaching experience also extends to Sunday school classes for ages pre-school through adult and to being a Weight Watcher’s leader (and W.W. receptionist trainer).

A resume of training and experience pales in comparison to my desire to help you embrace, enjoy, and utilize the English language.  Let’s begin here.

Of course, personal information is listed about me in the other columns, too, but what are some things about me with which you might be able to relate?  I have been married for 35+ years, have 7 daughters currently ranging from 17 to 33 years old, and have 7 grandchildren.

What about my earlier years?  Although I graduated valedictorian with a 4.0 g.p.a., I did not have the finances to go to a 4-year college, so I went to Robert Morris College (now University) to earn a 10-month secretarial certificate.  I then worked in a law office in Bloomington, IL, during which time I took night classes at Illinois State University and worked with a small traveling theater troupe on the weekends.  I desired to become a paralegal and then maybe an attorney, but due to a series of doors closing and others opening, I went to W.I.U. and got married.

In addition to work experience listed in the “Who am I to help?” section, I have also been a babysitter, carnival worker, fast-food worker, scrapbooking consultant/instructor (16 years), in-store data collecting associate for a national company, and a person who takes care of small plumbing and electrical problems in her own home.  I also come from parents who, one or both, are skilled in building construction, hunting, farming, sewing, and cooking.

Our lives are always changing, and no matter how hard someone works to keep “everything the same,” time and age undermines all those efforts.  The question is, “Do you want to be swept along with change without any choices or do you want to be a lifelong learner who becomes stronger in his weak areas and expands his abilities in new areas?  If you choose the latter, then you can begin here.