hello all :)

My name is Tamar.  I'm a first year PhD student in the Language, Literacy, and Culture (LLC) program in the Graduate School of Ed here at Iowa.  My main area of interest is working with multilingual writers in academic contexts, particularly in writing centers.  I got my MA in applied linguistics and TESOL certificate from the University of Pittsburgh in 2004.  I worked in the ESL and English dept, and Writing Center at Pitt. for over 11 years. I've been in Iowa for 3 years.  Prior to starting this academic program, I taught in the ESL dept. at Iowa. 

When I am not reading and writing for my academic classes, I love to read fiction and creative non-fiction. Some of my favorite authors include Alice Walker and Jamaica Kincaid.  I enjoy writing in many forms, both academic and creative.  I have a friend who now lives in Finland, and we exchange some epic emails.

My latest writing project is related to a paper I wrote for a seminar course last semester.  The paper looks at the historical and theoretical differences that have led to such separate practices (and ideologies) in ESL writing vs. composition/English/Rhetoric writing programs.

I currently work in the Writing Resource (writing center) in the Graduate School of Education.  I am also teaching a Basic Writing course at Kirkwood this semester.

Over winter "vacation", I broke my toe (which should explain my gait and choice of footwear this semester), traveled to Pittsburgh to visit friends and family, and accomplished less than a third of the projects I had planned for myself.

When I'm not studying or teaching I spend time with my two incredible daughters, Amaya (5) and Simone (3).  Last night we stayed up later than usual (2 hour delay today!) and watched the Big Friendly Giant (BFG). 

😻 

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