I am a trained English language specialist, teacher and lecturer, with extensive experience of teaching English at high school and university level. I've edited several manuscripts. I have been commissoned by Oprah to research and write an article for her magazine, "O". My academic background is English Language and Literature, with a Ed. M and M.A. in English Education from Columbia University's Teachers College. I'm also a creative and academic writer. I've co-authored schools text books, manuals and research gudes, and have contributed short stories, essays and poems to several publications in France, Austria and South Africa.