Dr. Dana Haring attended a rural K-8 school in Missouri where her favorite place was the trailer full of books–the library. She went on to complete college degrees in Missouri, Texas, and Montana to learn as much as she could to encourage and develop a similar passion for words with young learners. Dana has taught seventh grade English in Kalispell, Montana for 27 years. She has taught middle and high school English in various educational settings in Montana, Kansas, and Texas including middle schools, high schools, and an alternative school for teenage moms. Dana has also taught prospective and practicing teachers at the University of Montana. Her publications, presentations, and research interests are in the areas of collaboration, teacher retention, writing, and literacy across disciplines. One of her favorite things to do is to share lessons and strategies that work with other teachers, whether that is at conferences, in articles, or at the microwave in the teachers’ lounge. When she isn’t teaching, writing, or presenting, Dana spends time in the wilds of Montana on lakes, trails, and front porches.