I have been teaching second grade for the past ten years. I live in Homestead, Florida with my family. My hobbies are writing and playing tennis. I am a very spiritual person and an introvert. I usually get ideas for my stories and poems when I am alone with my thoughts, but they also come to me during my everyday activities. I make my illustrations with construction paper and other media used in elementary school crafts and projects. I began writing poetry and jotting down ideas for children's books when I was in college. I have not stopped yet. I find it helpful to write my ideas down as soon as they come to me whenever possible. I later organize them for use in my poems and stories. I always encourage my students to practice their writing skills and to read their writings to friends and family when possible, because effective communication skills will open many doors for them. Success that comes from communicating well can range from school success to becoming a community leader or even the president of the United States, as we have witnessed during presidential elections. I always say to my students, "Read, read, read and write, write, write every day!" so that they will be successful in school.