She began her career as a fifth grade teacher, working in both public and private schools. She then completed an M.S. in Learning Disabilities and a Ph.D. in Teaching & Curriculum at Syracuse University. She currently teaches ELED 320: Writing for Elementary Educators and graduate courses that focus on writing instruction. She is also co-director of Maryland Writing Project. Her research interests include how elementary teachers learn to teach writing; integrating writing with science, math, and social studies instruction; and effective practices for implementing writing workshop pedagogies.