Meet Kendra Keplinger, or as her middle-school English students call her, "Keppie". Kendra is a beautiful soul who had a unique vision for her photoshoot, and I was thrilled to take part. She is passionate about her work as an educator, and I enjoyed listening to her speak happily of her students and the caring environment she strives to create for them in her classroom.

But not only is Keppie passionate about her work as a teacher, she is also a writer and dreams of becoming a published author one day.  Some of her first stories were typed as a child on her grandad's typewriter, seen in these photos. She holds a Master of Fine Arts, with a focus on Popular Fiction. Her genre? Fantasy fiction, with her first written novel being a dark, Young Adult fantasy about mermaids.

Inspired by the coast, and wondering what mysteries are held beneath the water's depths, she is always dreaming about fictional possibilities. And personally, I can't wait to buy a copy of her first book one day!

Kendra, thank you for sharing your passions with me and our community.  I can only imagine how your creativity and kind heart are molding the minds and futures of our local children.