Working on the staff of my small town high school newspaper and yearbook planted dreams of beating city streets in search of big stories. While it was anything but The New York Times, landing a job as the high school columnist for my region’s weekly newspaper only fed my dreams of becoming a modern-day Mary Tyler Moore. In college, I majored in journalism, joined the newspaper staff my freshman year, and eventually served as editor in chief. On a whim, I applied to Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism without ever having set foot in New York City. Less than a year later, I was working as an intern for Newsday while completing the school’s intensive master’s degree program.
Five years in the field took me to newspapers and wire services stretching from New Jersey to Texas. I was interviewing a panel of energy executives in a high rise in downtown Dallas on September 11, 2001, when someone wheeled a big-screen television into the conference room. As we watched the events of the day unfold, I decided it was time to do something different with my life. Again, less than a year later, I was standing in front of a classroom at St. Louis city’s Vashon High School thanks to the training and support offered by Teach For America.
Since, I have taught a variety of high school language arts courses as either the special educator or the sole classroom instructor. Fall 2011 represented my first foray into college and adult education, a passion I’ve recently taken on full time in a job as the Adult Services Coordinator for Maplewood Public Library.
When I’m not at the library, I enjoy freelance writing, spending time with friends and family, listening to live music, cooking, eating, and exploring the outdoors. During vacations, I love traveling around the U.S. and abroad.
Charlene Oldham 
Impressive. thanks for seeing my blog too.
Loved the photo…
Wow…Columbia!! That’s so cool that you took a chance and applied. I took a group of yearbook and newspaper students to the CSPA conference held there in March. Many of my students have Ivy League dreams as well as hopes of becoming journalists. I teach middle school journalism and creative writing. By the way, I really like your blog!
Thanks! Please check out my teaching blog at www,professoroldham.wordpress.com and feel free to steal or make suggestions.
Hope all goes well for your teaching and writing! Congratulations on making it through Blogging U 101!
Thanks. I am grading finals right now!
My pleasure!
Looking forward to reading all about your travels and adventures! Sweet looking blog!
Thanks. I just finished The Daily Post’s blogging 201 course and think the blog looks a lot better these days.
I should start doing that too! I finished 101 now need to have some fun with 201…
You have been nominated for a Sunshine Award. You may already have one but I still want you to know have been a positive and creative influence for me. http://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2014/05/24/sunshine-award/
You have been nominated for a Versatile Blogger Award. You may already have one but your continued versatility inspires me to be so as well.
http://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2014/05/24/sunshine-award-2/
I know it says sunshine in the link but it’s a Versatile. I did a copy thing. o,O I’m not very versatile.
Thanks! I hope you are having a fine holiday weekend.
Hello,
I am a fellow ASU grad as well. Like you my course of life was changed on 9-11 and like you I am a writer. Well, actually I am a work in progress on that last similarity. With your permission, I would like to be a follower.
rob
I would be happy to have you as a follower and hope some of my content helps you out!