Meet Mrs. Reaves

I've loved Latin since I was a student at Salem Academy—the school my Moravian ancestors helped found in 1772. The school required two years of Latin, but I loved it so much I took four years and served as president of the National Latin Honor Society. Still, when I headed to UNC Greensboro on a North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship, I was planning to become an English teacher.

Then something unexpected happened. I was one of only five students taking advanced Latin courses—and the only freshman. I'd placed out of the foreign language requirement but was taking Latin for fun. Dr. Susan Shelmerdine, the Classical Studies department head, noticed, pulled me aside, and talked me into majoring in Latin instead. That conversation changed my life.

Three Decades of Teaching Experience

For more than thirty years, I've shared my love of Latin with students at every level. In 1994, I pioneered North Carolina's first elementary public school Latin program at Murphey Traditional Academy in Greensboro, where I watched eight-year-olds discover that "aqua" means water, and suddenly "aquarium" and "aquatic" made sense. I watched struggling readers break down "transportation" into "trans" (across) + "port" (carry) and turn reading from drudgery into detective work.

That program became a model for elementary Latin instruction, earning me recognition as Murphey's Teacher of the Year and a finalist for Guilford County Schools Teacher of the Year. My work was published in The Classical Journal, providing a framework other schools could follow. I've gone on to teach Latin at every level from kindergarten through twelfth grade, in traditional classrooms and online, in public schools and homeschool settings. I hold a Master of Education degree in Latin from UNCG, North Carolina, K-12 Latin Teaching Certification, and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. Over my career, I've worked with thousands of students, from large classes to one-on-one tutoring with students who need individualized support.

Why I Still Love This Work

What still excites me, after all these years, is watching students make connections. I see Latin transform how kids read, write, and spell. I watch them develop critical thinking skills as they puzzle through sentences and recognize patterns. I see struggling students gain confidence and gifted students discover new challenges. Every time a student lights up because they suddenly understand—that never gets old.

Daisy Lane Educational Services

Now, as I launch Daisy Lane Educational Services, I'm bringing all of that experience to families and schools who want excellent classical education. Whether you're a homeschool family building your curriculum, a student who needs individualized instruction, or a school looking to add or strengthen your Latin program, I'd love to help you discover what Latin can do.

Beyond Latin

When I'm not helping students decode the ancient world, you'll likely find me crocheting, cheering on the Appalachian State Mountaineers (thanks to my husband who is an alumnus), rewatching Marvel movies for the hundredth time, or planning my next trip. Travel has always fed my love of history and culture—there's nothing quite like standing in places where Latin was actually spoken two thousand years ago. Whether I'm teaching or traveling, I'm always looking for connections between past and present, always discovering new ways the ancient world shapes our lives today.

Want to learn more about my approach to teaching? Visit How I Teach to see my educational philosophy in action.

For a complete overview of my credentials and experience, visit Experience & Credentials.