Fun Facts

While living in Vietnam I adopted eight street cats, all of whom came back to the U.S. with me in 2013. I taught 4th grade at an international school in Ho Chi Minh City, and the students knew if they found an injured, abandoned or abused animal, they could come to me for support. Their compassion towards these animals was quite inspirational and deeply moving. I have a deep respect and love for animal rescue and wildlife conservation and am thrilled when I can share it with those around me.

About Me

I have a sincere passion for creating an inclusive learning environment where students feel respected and challenged. I am passionate and dedicated about the work I do with children. There is no greater joy than leading a child or a group of children to that “a-ha” moment, whether it be through observing, discussing, and participating in a shared writing activity about the behavior and habitat of a Cross Orbweaver spider in the school garden.

Experience

I am an elementary and early childhood educator and ESL/EFL instructor with 16 years of experience teaching children in a variety of different settings. My past experience as an educator include teaching elementary school at a dual immersion international school in Vietnam, for Salinas City Elementary School District and Oakland Unified School District, and tutoring private students in ESL/EFL, expository writing, reading comprehension, grammar, and phonics. In addition to a Bachelor of Fine Art

Approach

My approach to teaching takes the whole child into consideration: intellectual; social-emotional; and physiological, and is heavily influenced by my background in expository writing, theater, movement and public speaking. It is my goal as a teacher and a tutor to increase access to academic content by teaching students the skills and strategies that will enable them to think critically and constructively.