Carolyn Baldessari

I am a lifelong Alaskan, born and raised in Anchorage. After graduating from West Anchorage High School, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in English from Gonzaga University, where I had the opportunity to study in Florence, Italy, focusing on European Literature. Additionally, I hold a Master of Education in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment with an English emphasis from the University of Mary. 

Before joining Lumen Christi three years ago, I spent over a decade in the Anchorage School District teaching across elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. That exposure helped shape how I think about literacy and fostered my passion for helping students discover the joy in reading and writing.  

I believe reading is one of the most important things a person can do, and I say that as someone who is both an avid reader and a perpetual learner. In a world that moves fast, the ability to slow down and truly read, whether that means a novel, an online article, or even evaluating an argument, is a skill that matters more than ever. Strong readers become strong writers, and strong writers become people who can think critically, ask hard questions, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. While at Lumen, I strive to help my students build connections with literature that extend beyond the classroom. 

My husband Sam and I have been married for nearly 23 years, and together we have four children: Joe, Stella, Tom, and Annie.  In my free time, I enjoy traveling to sunny places, playing cribbage with my family, and, of course, reading. 

2026-27 Courses: British Literature, Media Literacy, World Literature

Additional Courses Taught: US Literature, Contemporary Literature (Fiction/Nonfiction)