I am a graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University where I received my Bachelor of Arts in English, with a concentration on Speech and Theater. I earned my Masters degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the New School. I have over 20 years of experience working in business, as a Product Management executive in the software development industry. I have worked with customers and technical developers from all over the world, and I have a passion for making information accessible and easy to understand. I developed and taught a class, The Language and Culture of American Business at the International Center in New York, and I have tutored students in English at all levels of proficiency. In my many years in business, I have learned the importance of strong language skills, and I have always helped my non-native English speaking colleagues to sharpen their skills. My approach is to encourage learning through practicing and have fun. I am a world traveler, and spent 5 years living on a sailboat and traveled through the Caribbean and Mediterranean. I have also traveled extensively in Morocco, and Asia, where I adopted my daughter from China. I believe that language and culture unites us all, and my wish is to share my gift of language with my students.