I have taught English to students ages 13-20 since 2002. No matter where I teach – West Chicago, Denver, Cambridge Harvard Summer Academy – there is one constant: my students are curious, fun-loving, and compassionate human beings. What a great job to have!
I attended Illinois State University to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education. Then, while I was teaching high school during the day, I attended evening courses full time to earn a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership in 2006.
As conversation partners, we will talk about topics that are easy and fun to discuss; these conversations will also allow you to learn a variety of new words in context. Please feel free to communicate in whatever ways are most comfortable to you. If you have trouble thinking of topics, do not worry. I have plenty of conversation starters ready to go.
Some of my favorite conversation topics include: traveling, books, movies, family, pets, outdoor activities, music, and education. I also like learning about new things and expanding my knowledge.
Every student is different and acquiring a new language is quite difficult. Often, students listen and understand much better than they can communicate verbally. This is a natural phase to learning a new language. Putting the proper nouns and verbs together in the correct tense can be tricky for many students. This improves with practice and patience. Stick with it!
When I’m not teaching, I like to go on hikes with my German Shepherd dogs. I also like to read fiction, check Facebook, watch “The Walking Dead”, and spend time with my family.
I teach a wide variety of ESL students in diverse settings. I always like when students advocate for themselves and their needs, but sometimes students need some prompting to do so.