As a child, Darlene was an avid reader who was fascinated by the art of storytelling and the power of the written word. She grew up penning her own stories and screenplays. Darlene carried her love for language through college and beyond, where she wrote dozens of short stories and poems. After graduating with her B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing, Darlene started her career in higher education as a college writing consultant, teaching English workshops and helping students write and revise essays and personal statements. She soon became the lead consultant, granting her the opportunity to modify and develop English materials for the college writing center while tutoring students online in reading and writing. Darlene especially enjoyed helping students improve their writing skills, seeing their transformation from failing students who disliked reading and writing to confident and capable students who enjoyed English and learned how powerful words can be. 

Looking to diversify her experience as an educator, Darlene eventually transitioned to teaching at a charter school, working with at-risk middle and high school students. There, she created individualized lesson plans and workshops to accommodate various learning styles and personalize students’ educational pathways. Her favorite part of this experience was preparing seniors for graduation by aiding in college and career research, as well as the development of resumes, cover letters, and personal statements.

Darlene now has her MA in English and Creative Writing, which she regularly puts to good use when penning short works of fiction. More than two dozen of her stories and poems appear in literary journals, e-zines, and print anthologies. She believes a little creativity can go a long way on application essays and enjoys encouraging students to find new and interesting methods of telling their stories to help them stand out in the admissions process. Joining MedSchoolCoach in 2020, Darlene greatly admires the organization’s mission and is happy to be part of a passionate group of individuals who help students navigate the daunting admissions process. 

In her free time, Darlene enjoys reading and watching all things macabre, as well as writing my own short stories inspired by the likes of Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe. Her future goal is to take her collective works and publish her own anthology of stories.