Dear Students and Parents,

When I was in school, I had favorite teachers. They weren't merely the ones who were funny and nice; they were the ones who engaged me, enthralled me and taught me lessons and skills that I use and benefit from today.

English -- or, really, anything involving reading, writing and communicating -- was and continues to be my true love. Having taught creative writing for years, as well as worked successfully with students on their application essays for college a...