Valerie Vernon holds a BA in Latin language and English as well as a Master's in Education as a reading specialist. She taught both Latin and English at secondary and college levels. As a Drama teacher, she helped students place in several Shakespeare monologue contests in the Pittsburgh area. Among other accomplishments, she wrote for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, sang professionally with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, and is currently a Producer and Writer for the award-winning podcast Sword and Scale. She raised two daughters and lives in the Pittsburgh area with her husband and two Maltese dogs: Monster and Piper. Valerie cares deeply about the education of children and feels that hands-on-reading tools are necessary functions to provide fluency and self-esteem.