About Me

I earned a BA in English studies with a minor in creative writing from Illinois State University in May 2007 and an MS in library and information science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2009. I am now pursuing an MS in English studies with an emphasis in linguistics at Illinois State University. I am writing my thesis on multiple modals in American English and plan to finish my second master’s degree in December 2011.

My main language research interests is the English verb system, specifically modal verbs including multiple modals and phrasal verbs. I hope eventually to write and develop language arts curricula, specifically in the areas of reading skills, grammar, and ESL. My approach to learning and teaching grammar is the form-function method.

Certifications

Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, Master of Science, English studies with a concentration in linguistics, expected 17 December 2011

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, Master of Library and Information Science, 17 May 2009

Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, Bachelor of Arts, English studies major, creative writing minor, 12 May 2007, summa cum laude

Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois, Associate of Arts and Science, general education, 16 December 2004

Awards and Honors

  • National Scholars Honor Society, 2007
  • National Dean’s List, 2006;
  • Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society, 2006
  • Golden Key International Honours Society, 2005
  • Illinois State University Dean’s List, Spring 2005, Fall 2005, Spring 2006
  • Illinois State University Honors Program; Illinois Central College Writing Contest, Second Place, “Mood Piece,” May 2004
  • Illinois Central College President’s List, Fall 2004
  • Illinois Central College Dean’s List, Fall 2003, Spring 2004
  • Illinois Central College Honors Program

Language Courses Completed

  • Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics (Summer 2011)
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: Theoretical Foundations (Spring 2011)
  • Independent Study: The History of the Modal Verb in the English Language: An Exercise in Diachronic Linguistics (Spring 2011)
  • Issues of Grammar Teaching Writing High School and Middle School (Fall 2010)
  • Introduction to Old English Language and Literature (Spring 2010)
  • Cross-Cultural Aspects in TESOL (Spring 2010)
  • Studies in English Linguistics (Fall 2009)
  • Sociolinguistics (Fall 2009)
  • The Linguistic Structure of English for the TESOL Professional (Fall 2008)
  • History and Development of the English Language (Spring 2007)
  • Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics (Fall 2006)
  • First-Year German Part I (Fall 2006)
  • Traditional and Non-Traditional Grammars (Spring 2006)
  • Second-Year Spanish Part I (Fall 2005)
  • Growth and Structure of the English Language (Spring 2005)
  • First-Year Spanish Part II (Spring 2005)