I love teaching because I love getting to know my students. They are so bright, funny, warm and interesting. Also, I like to think that I have something worth sharing because of what I have learned from the many mistakes I have made in my life, as well as through my better experiences. And I am still learning. In this course, we learn together.

I grew up in Pensacola, Florida and was a real tom-boy until about age 12. In middle school, I lost interest in basketball except when it gave me an opportunity to play with the guys. Back then, the only jobs open to women were in child care, nursing, elementary education, cosmetology and secretarial work, none of which appealed to me. One girl in my high school wanted to be a doctor, but no one else could even comprehend such a thing.

At that time, I really didn't think I was smart enough to go away to a university, so I stayed home, got married and studied Dental Hygiene at Pensacola Junior College. I worked for a few years as a DH before deciding that I would rather talk with people than to clean their teeth. So I went to the University of West Florida, got a bachelors, and hoped to become a school guidance counselor.  The job I found was a social worker/counselor position in an alcohol and drug treatment program. After several years, I hit the glass ceiling and switched to human resources, working for huge companies like Johnson & Johnson, and International Paper Company. Challenging, meaningful work with good pay, but I found it difficult to balance management level work with family, and I really hated laying people off everytime my company decided to downsize. That's when I decided to pursue work that was closer to my heart. Off I went to the University of South Florida where I picked up a Master's in Religious Studies, which enabled me to teach at St. Pete College -- an impossible dream come true.

I consider myself deeply spiritual but not particularly religious. I enjoy reading, meditation, writing, walking near the water, making handmade paper and creating art out of it, and connecting with interesting people. Mostly, I enjoy spending time with my handsome husband, my 2 beautiful daughters, my simply divine friends, and the happiest dog in the world.

Because I am a natural-born worrier, I recently wrote a book called Time Out: How to take a mini-retreat any time, any place. It teaches an easy way to reduce stress and increasing peace and serenity right now. And I need to read it every day! (It is available from all the major bookstores and from Amazon.com if you are a worrier or a hurrier like me.) I have also released a relaxing guided meditation CD called "Journey into Presence" that is available online. My time is divided lately between giving talks, signing books, teaching, and trying to find time to practice the meditation techniques that I teach to other people. You can visit me at www.marydawnpyle.com if you want to know more.

You will also find my name in your course textbook as a contributing author. That's partly because I love to write but mostly because I taught Applied Ethics at SPC full-time from 1997 - 2005.  I have also taught World Religions. I took a break to be a Hospice Chaplain for a while, and now I am back as an adjunct. Meanwhile, I am still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up. Got any suggestions?