From there, I learn as much as I can about what is being asked of the student, what the student wants to accomplish, what his or her unique learning style is, and what his or her parents want their child to achieve. Then, through a focused Socratic exchange, I work with the student to discover and utilize the intellectual abilities they've always possessed yet haven't fully explored, guiding them confidently to their personal and academic goals in a way that leaves the student invigorated and motivated to succeed. I am never happier than when I am teaching. Whether it's helping a student through a difficult literary passage, reviewing the importance of grammar and mechanics, revising a writing assignment, or discussing philosophy, helping students achieve their dreams is always an uplifting and inspiring experience. But aside from the personal satisfaction I feel when I teach, I always ensure that my student comes away from a session a more confident, inquisitive, patient, articulate, and motivated individual whose will to learn and to achieve has grown beyond what he or she thought possible.

Reading; Writing; Playing, writing, and performing music; Guitar; Bluegrass; Blues; Classical Music; Sailing; Pedagogy; Traveling; Movies; Theater