Jennifer Dickey Culver:  

Life School: After Lee, I did a brief stint at University of Alabama (fall 1991). I was freaked out by the hugeness of the campus and being the homesick freshman seemed more than I could get over at the time. I attended AUM for a year and a half, getting used to the "post highschool" feel of things. I liked AUM--thought the history and English departments were very challenging. After that, I transferred my credits and belongings over to Auburn University, where I wanted to have the "college experience"--and I did. I loved Auburn. I was a RA (residential assistant) during my senior year in college, serving in CDV. Later, I was a Hall Director for Owen Hall on the Quad. I graduated with my B.A. in English in 95, and later with my M.Ed in English Ed in 96. The Car Accident: I had a car accident during the time I was interning at Alex City Middle School. It was on the two lane road from Auburn to Alex City. The man who hit me died (he was trying to pass people on the two lane and ended up slamming into me, who was minding my own business, drinking coffee and listening to the blues) and I had a hard time afterwards because of it (nightmares, etc.). The accident has resonance with me because it happened on my birthday and the ambulance took me to the hospital I had been born. I thought I was a goner and the irony of the date freaked me out. South Carolina: Soon after graduation and the car accident, I up and moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where a friend of a friend lived, and where I planned to find a job. I was only there for six months, in an excruciating job that made me want to yank all my hair out. Sadly, the friend of a friend died that May and I was once again in the middle of a sad scene. I chose to go back to Auburn, and try to deal. Teaching: I started teaching in 97, upon returning to Auburn. This was a good time. I taught at Smiths Station High School for two years, then transferred to Auburn High for one year. I taught some wonderful students at both schools and I think of them often and wonder if I screwed them up too bad in my first few yea...Expand for more