I am a writer in Chicago who wears many hats. A mom whose interest in her kids’ public schools led to years of public school advocacy, and whose deaf daughter led to years advocating for hearing aid users. A one-time PhD student who threw aside Milton’s theology for glitter, glue, and preschool teaching. A Sunday school teacher and summertime art educator who has worked with all ages of kids for decades. A fundraiser for food insecurity by means of pie. A blogger, essayist, newsletter writer, grant writer, and eulogist with a reach into many communities. At home I’m someone who is hopeless at laundry and happiest in the kitchen. I have two kids who are mostly grown, a husband who is techy yet philosophical, and a little rescue mutt of indeterminate origins. Chicago’s south side is home to me; I love its neighborhoods, lakefront, activists, parks, coffee roasters, and bakeries, and I love sharing what’s wonderful about my city with anyone who’ll listen.
In my essays I’ve chronicled travels overseas and inward, culinary traditions and failures, neighborhood needs and hopes, public schools under attack, and the precarious territory of memory.
I also write about public education and policy on Substack at CPF Insider.