I received my undergraduate degree from U.C.-Berkeley with a major in political science, and minors in Spanish and Russian language. My master's degrees, from the University of Texas at Austin, are in Public Affairs and Russian/Eastern European studies. I have lived in Russia and traveled extensively throughout South America. I tutor English (grammar and composition), Spanish, history, and public speaking. I believe that education can (and should) be fun, and that teaching and tutoring are much more effective when the student is happy and engaged. My approach to tutoring is to listen carefully to each student so I can get a sense of what it is about the particular subject that they find challenging. I enjoy teaching, and I have tutored Spanish to native English speakers as well as taught English as a Second Language (ESL) for the state of Arizona. As someone who has learned both Spanish and Russian through classroom instruction, I find it rewarding to help students enjoy the challenges of learning a foreign language at school. As someone who loves to read and write, I also enjoy working with students on the challenges of essay composition and reading comprehension. My theater background has also prepared me well to help students who struggle with public speaking. In my spare time, I love to work on various design projects around my house, practice yoga, spend time with my dog, and train for a backpacking trip I plan to take through Europe next year.