Welcome
to
My Island
On Island Time is a place where my work as a poet, writer, and educator comes together. I write to honor the moments that shape us, and I teach and train with the same belief—that language, clarity, and steady practice can transform how we live and how we lead. Here you’ll find poems rooted in memory and place, prose that explores the quiet truths of daily life, and learning experiences that help teachers cultivate calmer, more connected classrooms. Whether you’re here for training, a poem, or a glimpse of island life, welcome. I hope you find something that steadies or sparks you.
What I Offer
Poetry & Prose
On Island Time is my first volume of poems, blending island landscapes with the inner terrain of a life shaped by learning—slow learning, hard learning, unexpected learning. My writing invites readers into moments where reflection comes naturally and each experience carries its own quiet story.
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Teacher Support
I offer research‑based, relationship‑centered classroom management training that helps educators reduce disruptions, strengthen connections, and create calmer, more capable learning environments. The work is grounded in clarity, consistency, and teachable moments that help teachers reclaim instructional time and sustain their own well‑being.
Creative Writing Workshops
I lead writing workshops that help participants slow down, notice deeply, and shape their experiences into poetry, memoir, and reflective prose. These sessions support both personal expression and professional renewal, offering teachers and community groups a space to reconnect with voice, presence, and creativity.
Mentoring for Students and Poets
I offer mentoring designed to help students navigate the often‑baffling pathways of graduate and postgraduate work. I help them strengthen their critical thinking, build confidence, and move steadily through complex academic requirements. I also support poets as they develop their voice, refine their craft, and find the courage to share their work with the world. This support includes guidance on structure and clarity, as well as thoughtful editing and focused revision that helps them grow as researchers and writers.
About
I am someone shaped by the high desert, the open plains, and the quiet rhythms of island life. My work has always lived at the intersection of teaching, leading, mentoring, and writing—each one a different way of listening closely to the world. Whether I’m mentoring teachers or students, writing a poem, crafting prose, or sharing my love of writing through workshops, I’m guided by the same instinct: to pay attention, to make meaning, and to offer something steady and useful to others.
Portrait photography by SÅŒLUS1.
Testimonials: On Island Time
Janie Shepherd
“When I read On Island Time, I felt like I was inside your story—listening, feeling, and recognizing pieces of my own life in yours. Even when the circumstances were unfamiliar, the emotional truth was shared.”
Paula K
“Thank you for the healing power of your poetry. Your thoughts, captured and released like fireflies, bring solace to those of us waiting for the storm clouds to pass.
Jane
You made the island come alive for me.