 in English literature from Florida State University in 1992, and a master's degree in English education from Nova Southeastern University, also in Florida.She became a tenured teacher in Florida and gained certification as a teacher in New Jersey.From 2001 to 2012, Areu conducted interviews for the "Washington Post"'s "First Person Singular" column, including with Laura Bush, Al Franken, Alberto Gonzales, Nancy Pelosi and Al Sharpton.