Profile

Greetings from my parents' basement in Highland, Utah!
I grew up in Vienna, Virginia, about half an hour from Washington, D.C. Even though I lived in a congested area, I went to a small high school where I could do whatever I wanted to do. I played fun east coast sports like lacrosse and field hockey, as well as more standard American sports like basketball, track, and cross-country; there was some piano, flute, and piccolo "playing" as well. In addition to playing sports and music, I participated in drama, student government, band, and seminary--I was spread thin, and it was worth it. My passion was writing. You could plunk me in front of a computer and leave me alone with the muses for hours.
After high school, I attended BYU-Provo, where I majored in history and minored in English. I served a mission in New York City, New York and returned to Provo. There, I taught missionaries in the MTC and met my sweetheart, Doug Bowen, who had just transferred from BYU-Idaho.

Since getting married, we have lived in the following places:

• Provo, Utah
• Logan, Utah (I taught English and got my Master's degree in Literature and Writing at Utah State.)
• Morgantown, West Virginia (Doug spent his first two years of law school there.)
• Orem, Utah (Doug completed his last year of law school at BYU)
• Pocatello, Idaho ( Doug served as a law clerk for a year and a half there)
• Ammon, Idaho (Doug was a lawyer there)
• and now Highland, Utah (where Doug is pursuing a new career as an administrator and I get to play with my kids, spend quality time with extended family, and work from home).

Along our journey, we incorporated some precious family members. Isaac (9), Lucy (7), Brooklyn (5), Cason (2) and Corban (2 months) teach me daily about the necessity of patience, the joy of discovery, the challenge of learning new things, and the importance of doing what Heavenly Father wants us to do. This picture was taken at the Provo City Center Temple Open House a few months before Corban was born. We need a new family photo, but I really love this one because of how happy we all look being embraced by the Savior.

I am so grateful to teach for BYU-I and to get to work with you. I got the good news that I would get to teach English for this amazing university a day before Thanksgiving in 2009. I feel like teaching has been a part of my life mission; it has deepened my testimony and my love for my brothers and sisters. I love to write and read, to serve, to be in academia, and to work with students so that we can follow the spirit and reach our full potential. I hope you are getting excited as you work through this class and see what we can do!
Sincerely,
Sister Tara Bowen