The professional stuff:

 Tracie Vaughn Zimmer considers herself a teacher first after working with students of nearly every age and ability. She attended Ohio State University where she majored in special education, and received her master's degree in reading from Miami University of Ohio. In addition to writing poetry and novels for children, Tracie’s creates teacher guides, book club guides and curricula which are sought after by both award-winning authors and publishers. All of the guides are available for free on her popular website. Tracie is a dynamic speaker who inspires students and adults to read widely and to explore the magic of writing for themselves.

The other stuff:

  I grew up in a small town in Ohio that still holds three generations of my family. Hordes of cousins, aunts, and an extra set of grandparents made holidays an especially happy time for us. I was lucky enough to be born with my best friend- my identical twin sister- Trish.  We were tomboys and constantly pestered our big brother Paul by following him around the neighborhood. We were forced inside the house for only two reasons: to wolf down meals and to scrub off the grime before bed.

I kept a journal from the 5th grade on (thanks Mrs. Sternberg) and filled it with mostly really embarrassing stuff. In 7th and 8th grade I was lucky enough to have two exceptional English teachers- Mrs. Yates and Mrs. Dingledein (THANKS!) who inspired me to write from my own experience. I dreamed that I would one day have a book with my name on it.  I had more terrific English teachers at Lakota High School who forced me to read gobs of books, even in the summer months. I am so grateful that they did.                                                                                                               

During my college summers, I worked at a camp for kids with developmental disabilities. I loved working with people who loved so easily and tried so hard. I switched my major from British Literature to Special Education. In college, I met my sweetheart, Randy, who would after my first year of teaching became my husband. After graduating from Ohio State
(GO BUCKS!), I taught students with a variety of abilities, but I couldn't resist the temptation to get my master's degree in reading education from Miami University and pursue my first love again: words. I taught 7th and 8th grade language arts for four years, but still served kids with learning problems within my regular classroom. After my second baby was born within 18 months of the first, I decided it was time to put my chalk in the tray for a while. 

After moving away to Virginia (we now live in Charlotte, North Carolina) I started writing about all the places that I missed. Also, I followed my kids around and just wrote about whatever they were up to. It didn't take long before a book length collection was together. Two great editors- Dinah Stevenson and Marcia Leonard of Clarion both worked with me on revisions and the result was my first book: Sketches from a Spy Tree.  More titles are now forthcoming including: Reaching for Sun from Bloomsbury and several other poetry collections too. I speak at schools now instead of teach and love writing guides for other author's books. I love spending time with my kids, my pets, my email writer friends (especially The Pub), and, of course, writing. I  talk to my twin sister every day, and visit my hometown whenever I can.                                                         

                                                           Trish's Art (Tracie's Twin)                                                                                                            

Email Tracie?  TVZIMMER (at) MAC (dot) com