Very often schools or conference organizers want to learn a little bit about my career before I became a children’s book author, so I here is a short synopsis of my working career.
I began my journey as a special education teacher, and became a Special Education Administrator, Elementary Principal and School Superintendent, all in New York. I have a BA from the City College of NY in Speech Pathology and Audiology. My MA (Teacher of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired), and EdD (Organization and Leadership) are from Teachers College, Columbia University. While working as a Principal and as a Superintendent, I always tried to have direct contact with students and formed book clubs with elementary aged students. In addition to my Superintendent duties, I created and hosted a local access cable television show, Spotlight on Elmsford Schools.
After retirement in 2008, I relocated to Maryland and continue to work in New York, Washington DC, and Maryland as an educational consultant, workshop presenter, college professor and community volunteer. In November 2017, I published my first children’s book, Jamal and Me. In June 2018, my second book, Playground Heroes was published, and my third book, Talking Buddies was published in May, 2019. I conduct author visits in elementary schools, libraries and children’s hospitals. I have designed and conducted professional development workshops and conference presentations for teachers, library-media specialists and fellow authors, and hold book signing events at independent bookstores. In September 2020, I conducted a virtual author visit for undergraduate/graduate students for Pace University’s School of Education. The session was about how to use my books to help students create personal narratives and enhance writing skills. A video of that event can be found here.
I have recently established a YouTube channel which showcases read-alouds of my books, and I’m happy to announce that I have been interviewed on the radio and by local newspapers in my area. I also write a monthly column for the Bay Times/Record Observer newspaper entitled “Dr. Toughlove’s Book Club”. I have produced a podcast series entitled, “Dr. Toughlove’s Book Club”. Click here to listen.
I distribute an E-Newsletter several times a year with news about my activities, and information about my podcasts and newspaper articles. You can join my Browns Corner Press E-Newsletter Community by clicking here.
Please contact me if you are interested in an author visit, professional development workshop, interview/podcast, speaking engagement or college presentation using this contact link. I look forward to hearing from you.