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American Literary Voices: Part 2
Kathryn GordonKathryn Gordon is a full time writer who loves the books she's written about here and respects the writers behind them. She has taught literature and writing courses at Simon's Rock College of Bard, Marist College, and Ulster County Community College. Gordon has a Bachelor's from the University of Michigan, Phi Beta Kappa, and two years toward in the creative writing program at the University of MAssachusetts.Gordon is currently at work on several projects, including the novel Real Moon and a personal narrative about living in innercity Philadelphia with a young mother and her triplet boys -- working title Welfare as We Know It. Most recently she has published work at Salon.com (1/22/02) and The Other Side Magazine. For writing samples, see Gordonwork.com.
Linda CassanoMrs. Cassano is a certified/tenured teacher in public secondary schools in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Over the years, she taught Honors, College Prep, General, and Basic English, American Literature, British Literature, and Creative Writing while enjoying experience with all grade levels from 7 through 12. Advocating the importance of engaging curriculum to teaching success, she developed extensive curricula and courses for the academically talented as well as the non-college learner; in addition, she created original content for and piloted high school level electives such as Modern Novel, Contemporary Drama, Literature in Film, and Fantasy, Folklore and Science-Fiction.During several semesters, Mrs. Cassano developed instructional/remedial activities and taught individual and small group reading support classes for students reading at least three years below grade level. She participated in faculty development presentations on assessment techniques, collaborative learning and supporting the slower reader/learner in the classroom. During her tenure in public schools, she was a member of NEA, PSEA, NCTE and two Middle States evaluation committees. Beyond each school day, numerous activities including class advisor, yearbook, newspaper, and NHS allowed her more personal contact with students outside the classroom. When her husband transferred to England in the early 80's, Mrs. Cassano put her teaching skills to use there designing and organizing membership drives and public relations for the American Women's Club of London as well as co-chairing the American Fair, an annual British charity event. She also traveled extensively throughout the British Isles and Europe with her husband (and sometimes two small kids!), especially loving the visits to places attached to famous authors and literature she had taught and studied. Since 1984, Mrs. Cassano has been an adjunct instructor of Basic and Developmental Writing, English Composition I (rhetoric), and English Composition II (literature, research and critical writing) at Delaware County Community College and Penn State (Delco) Campus, thoroughly challenged by the diverse classrooms filled with traditional and non -- traditional students. An early advocate for the use of Internet search engines and the inclusion of Internet-based information in research papers, plus the integration of word-processing skills into her writing classes, Mrs. Cassano also co-created then facilitated the first Distance Learning writing course for DCCC in 1997. Mrs. Cassano holds a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education/English from West Chester University and a M.Ed. from Cabrini College as well as other post-graduate credits from Southern Connecticut, West Chester, Villanova, and University of Pennsylvania. Now that her son and her daughter no longer need carpooling, orthodontia, or all the other countless hours of motherly attention, she is excited to devote time to a new venture in her longtime love -- education -- for the 21st century.
Delvin DinkinsDelvin Dinkins is a newly appointed assistant principal at Conestoga High School in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. He spent the seven previous years as both a classroom teacher and a staff developer. Mr. Dinkins designed and taught various courses in World Literature, American Literature, and Advanced Placement English Language and Composition. He was also a member of several school and district committees.Mr. Dinkins has received numerous honors and awards, most recently fellowships from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, and Rackham Graduate School. In addition to being featured in Voices of Insight and Power, The Swarthmore College Bulletin, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Daily Local News, he has presented at national conferences and gatherings, including the Annual Meeting of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund Board of Trustees. He was recently selected to present at the American Council on Education conference in October 2001. Delvin Dinkins graduated from Swarthmore College with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and certification in Secondary Education. He completed a Master of Arts at the University of Michigan and a principal's certification at Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Dinkins resides in Exton, Pennsylvania with his wife, Davirah, and his two children, DJ and Bria.
Lisa OshopLisa Oshop is a writer, researcher, and editor. She began her writing career in elementary school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, writing poetry and short fiction. Ms. Oshop's creative and non-fiction writing has been published in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh area publications.She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1994 with a Bachelors of Arts in English Writing. In 1999, Ms. Oshop received her M.J. from Temple University in Philadelphia. Most recently, Ms. Oshop taught Literature and Composition as an adjunct faculty member at Peirce College in Philadelphia. Ms. Oshop's professional interests include exploring the intersection of literature, writing, and technology in education.
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