My story of how I became a teacher and tutor was a surprising one. It wasn???t what I set out to do, but I was given amazing opportunities that have set me on this path! My tutoring experience began when I was a sophomore in college. I was desperately looking for a job that would help cover tuition without having to work in the cafeteria, and found a job as an elementary school tutor as a part of a work study program. Every morning, I was assigned a list of Title I students from various grades, and I would take them for 15-20 minute timeframes to work on reading comprehension, phonics, and math. For the next two summers, I worked as a camp counselor with kids in grades 4th through 6th???. probably my favorite job ever! I got to teach kids how to kayak and build campfires and hike and fish and get paid for it! This was a really unique opportunity because it gave me a lot of insight as to how kids in those age groups are understood, what their personalities are like as they start to develop into them, what frustrates and excites them, and how they thrive. I didn???t know it at the time, but both of these job opportunities were preparing me for my greatest challenge yet: accepting a teaching position in South Korea! Right after college I flew halfway across the world and taught English for 1 year at a private school for grades 1 - 8. Even though this experience had numerous difficulties, there was just as much joy and fun in the process, as well as specific learning opportunities for me. As the only native-English teacher at the school, I taught everything English related; from phonics to vocabulary to reading comprehension to debate to thesis-building and essay writing! With the added challenge of teaching these concepts in English to Korean students, I sharpened my teaching skills and really learned how to communicate as clearly and direct as possible??? there simply wasn???t any choice with that language barrier! As an English teacher in a different culture, I learned how my own methods for success are based on a personable and relational encounter because I saw early on that I would never be effective if my students didn???t know I cared about them. Then from this established rapport, I could understand what individual students needed to succeed. Whether it be gentle encouragement or an added challenge, I was able to see learning success in my students as I focused on their individual needs and areas for growth.

When I returned home from Korea, I put a lot of thought into what my next career steps would be. I am thrilled to work with Varsity Tutors because I can see how all of my opportunities since my sophomore year have led me to this amazing position. I feel I can understand and empathize with students because I???ve experienced working with kids of all ages - and different cultures! And I truly feel that my tutoring and teaching experience has given me the resources and passion to see you succeed and thrive- not just in your areas of struggle, but to become a life-long learner!