She earned a doctorate from George Mason University in 1996. She and her husband, James Laster, lived in Beirut, Lebanon, from 1967-1973, during which time she taught methods courses, a children s literature course, and supervised student teachers at Beirut College for Women, now Lebanese American University. The couple moved to Winchester in 1973, where he accepted a position to fill in for a music professor at Shenandoah University that turned into a permanent post.

She credits her husband with encouraging her and having a calming effect during the writing and editing process. An author of books and music catalogs, James said he did make a couple of suggestions, mostly based on his experiences going through a similar venture for publication. I think my role in all of this has been a sounding board for her to bounce off ideas and to offer all the encouragement and support I could, he said, and Needless to say, I m very proud.

This book can be used by anyone working with children in a teaching capacity and is adaptable for any age and any level, the author said. Teachers can use these for their own subject area. They can build with these ideas when teaching an initial concept. In addition, her publisher said he will direct the marketing of the book not only to educators in K to 12 schools, but also to professors who are preparing future teachers.