Nell: Blaine tutor

Certified Tutor

Personal Statement

I hold two Master's degrees: one in Education and another in Spanish Language, and I am licensed by the state of Virginia to teach ESOL (Pre-K-12). Additionally, I have received formal training in the Lindamood-Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing and Seeing Stars programs. With over ten years of experience as a full-time teacher in international schools, I have had the opportunity to grow and deepen my commitment to education on a global scale.

As I reflect on my career, I recognize that while my roles have varied, the common thread that ties them all together is a passion for education. My journey into teaching began at the age of 17 when I volunteered with Amigos de las Amricas in Ecuador. Living with an Ecuadorian host family in a small town in the El Oro province, I helped lead workshops on dental hygiene and nutrition and assisted with building latrines. While my mission was to educate others, it was clear that I learned more from the cultural exchange and the immersion in a foreign language. This experience sparked a lifelong passion for language learning and travel.

Upon returning to the U.S., I began volunteering as an ESOL teacher for Latin American immigrants and continued my work with migrant farmworkers in Wooster, Ohio, as a college student. During this time, I majored in Spanish and studied abroad in both Spain and the Dominican Republic. After graduating, I moved to Boston and worked with refugee students in a summer program, helping them explore the city and reflect on their experiences in writing. I also worked as an ESOL teaching assistant, later transitioning to a Life Skills Coach position within the Boston Public Schools. During this period, I began taking African dance and percussion classes, further immersing myself in cultural exploration.

Before completing my Master's degree in Spanish, I spent five months in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, where I studied Afro-Brazilian dance and volunteered as an ESOL teacher. While earning my Master's degree, I also taught Spanish 101 and 102 to undergraduates. Following my graduation, I continued working as a Life Skills Coach for Boston Public Schools. After the birth of my son, I pursued certifications in Medical Interpreting and Holistic Health Counseling from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

The pivotal moment in my career came when I moved to Brazil seven years ago. Initially settling in a small town in Bahia's Chapada Diamantina region, I obtained a permanent visa to live and work in Brazil based on my Brazilian son's citizenship. Despite not speaking Portuguese, I relied on my Spanish to communicate and quickly adapted to my new environment. I applied for English as a Foreign Language teaching positions and, after two months, secured jobs at both public and private schools. I also completed my ESOL teacher's license online through the FAST TRAIN Program at George Mason University.

My language skills grew rapidly, and I became proficient in Portuguese, which allowed me to expand my teaching opportunities. I went on to teach at Graded School in So Paulo and later received a Pre-K-12 ESOL teaching license from Virginia. I taught at the Pan American School of Bahia for two years as an ESOL teacher and then as a Year 2 homeroom teacher. My career then took me to Roi Et, Thailand, where I taught Year 3, and later to Braslia, Brazil, where I taught Year 2 and Year 3 English and Science.

In July 2023, I returned to an international school in Salvador, Bahia, where I currently serve as an Elementary English Language Enrichment teacher.

Throughout my career, I have developed adaptability, resourcefulness, resilience, and a deep commitment to the teaching profession. My passion for languages, teaching, and cultural exchange continues to drive me forward, allowing me to embrace new challenges and grow both professionally and personally. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and contributing to the lives of my students in the field of international education.