The Author

She’s a teacher, a mother, a grandmother, and a new children’s writer.

Paulette Dantzer, has reached a goal many only dream about.
She is the author of BRAND NEW MANDY, her first little children’s book with a big message – children love to teach other children.

Now retired from her busy 30-year career spent teaching high school in Windsor and Toronto, Paulette cherishes the moments that shaped her life as a teacher. During those years, she also served as advisor, volunteer, and coordinator for several student groups and academic committees. Teaching was her destiny and a desire since the age of seven.

“I would gather three or four of the neighbourhood kids, including my best friend Laura, on the front porch of my house in Windsor” says Paulette, “I’d line them up and drill them in spelling and grammar. Those were the subjects I loved best.”

The children kept coming back for more, with Paulette consistently holding her post as the teacher. It was a sign, and an early confirmation, that she aspired to the teaching profession. She was good at it. And she would rise to it one day.

“I guess I knew even way back then that kids can teach kids,” says Paulette.
“And both sides can enjoy the process.” It was the beginning of an enlightening and rewarding journey and led her to becoming an author today.

Devoted to teaching English during the last 20 years of her career, Paulette’s natural wit, über charm, and careful observations of children and how they interacted with each other, always fed her passion for writing. She would often remind her students about the power of the written word.

“All skills, including writing, strengthen with practice,” she would say to them. “Write assignments, but write as often as you can…about everything. Your words may turn into a best seller someday!” And with her advice embedded in her own mind, Paulette began the journey towards making it a reality for herself.

A self-proclaimed “chronicler of life,” her family time included quiet moments when she “memorialized” a life-changing event or discussion on paper, making it her mission to document her children’s milestones. Every moment was written down, mulled over and never forgotten. In Paulette’s world, a picture isn’t just worth a thousand words, but a picture and a thousand words made more sense.

By the time Paulette retired from teaching in 2003, and grandchildren entered the scene, her chronicling had picked up speed. A new phase in preserving special moments, that made her smile, laugh, cry, and shake her head in disbelief, fuelled her writing further. From this newest phase came the seeds for BRAND NEW MANDY.

A proud mom, hands-on grandmother (better known as “Nana Polly” to her four grandchildren), and a down-to-earth writer, Paulette’s vivid storytelling, simple language, and descriptive settings invite readers into a cozy, real, and insightful world in BRAND NEW MANDY and her brand new book WE LOVE YOU MRS. MCCORKLE.