Though right this moment (January 2010), the thing I am most proud of is my recent certification as a YogaDance instructor, I also have a lot of experience in writing and teaching and am still passionate about those pursuits.
My goal is to combine all of this in a new and creative way
(that is a bit of a tease right there).
In order to make this new site as "round" as possible, I wanted to have a spot to outline my more "formal credentials."
This is that spot.
So here it is, the Official Resume (-type thing) of the Chick who writes Blisschick:
Education
M.A. in Literature, Gannon University, Erie, PA. May 1996 with distinction.
Thesis: “D.M. Thomas’ The White Hotel: Beyond Negative Dialectics in Post-Holocaust Literature.”B.A. in Literature & Writing, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. May 1991.
Experience
Writer, Present. Sole author, creator, and photographer of Blisschick.net. Guest blogger on other sites.
Samples from a variety of sources. Completing final draft of novel,
Finding Aphrodite. Working on a body memoir and various children's book projects.
Workshop Creator & Leader, September 2009.
Creative Dig Workshop. Through writing, clay work, and painting, I and two others led a group of women through exercises meant to uncover the personal myths and stories that were holding them back from their ideal lives.
Per Diem Reference Librarian, Program Coordinator, and Management Assistant, (Each role at different times.) 2005 to End of 2008. Blasco Memorial Library. Created themes and programming for month-long community read (see www.onebookerie.org), including securing of funds through Pennsylvania Humanities Council grant, coordinating experts and academics from the Erie community, and writing press releases, marketing materials, and final reports.
Guest Book Group Facilitator and Creative Writing Teacher, 2005 to 2007. Blasco Memorial Library. Create, advertise, and facilitate adult book groups and beginner writing classes for adults.
Workshop Leader, 2004 to 2006. Lead a weekly advanced fiction workshop comprised of local writers all working on novels.
Guest Creative Writing Teacher, 2003 to 2005. Erie Art Museum. Created and facilitated a variety of creative writing classes from beginner to advanced.
Adjunct English (and Computer) Professor, Erie Business Center, 1995 to 2000. Taught beginning composition, business writing, technical writing, oral communications, and various computer software classes to a nontraditional student population.
Adjunct English Professor, Mercyhurst College, Erie, 1999. Taught research writing.
Basic Computer Lecturer, New Choices, New Options, Erie, 1998 to 2000. Taught basic computer literacy to women who had been out of the workforce. Program targets women from underprivileged socioeconomic backgrounds.
Communications Lecturer, Northwest Pennsylvania Technical Institute, 1999 to 2000. Taught workplace communications and group problem solving strategies to a student population comprised of firefighters, EMT’s, and factory workers.
Development Associate, Pax Christi USA, Erie, 1997 to 1999. Main responsibility was the researching and writing of grants. Also responsible for maintaining bishop memberships; organizing and supervising of direct mail campaigns; writing of quarterly department reports.
