Fun Facts

I love listening to Celtic rock, writing poetry, and reading Agatha Christie. I have a black belt in Shaolin Kempo and I am learning how to fence. When I'm at home I love to cuddle with my cats Eloise, and Luna, and my dog, Gracie.

About Me

I attend the University of Puget Sound as a sophomore working towards an English major and a Spanish minor. When I graduate I plan to take a gap year, and then attend graduate school. My ultimate goal is to become an author or screenwriter (preferably both at different times). I am in the Honors Program at the University of Puget sound and I participate in community service though Phi Eta Sigma, our on campus Greek honors society. One of my favorite projects we did was building furniture for low income families.

When I was in high school I taught Karate to young children at my local dojo. I assisted with classes and did private lessons. In this job, enthusiasm is very important. Young children will not pay attention unless they are interested in what is going on. It is as much a performance as a lesson. The same principle holds true for teaching at all ages. Even now I am in college; I find that an enthusiastic professor can liven up even the earliest of 8 AM classes.

I believe in patience and showing not telling. Many times children, even adults, will need something explained more than once, especially if they are having trouble understanding it. It is important to teach at their pace. Showing not telling is often the best way of giving a person an understanding of the subject one is teaching them. The young children I taught at my local dojo often retained a better understanding of the material after it was demonstrated to them, and not merely explained. In my own classes, I usually comprehend more of the subject if the professor gives the class an example.