I have enjoyed working with kids since I was a teen. From a young age, in high school I began as an assistant choreographer and director for children's musical theater productions. I worked as a camp counselor the summers before I went to college, and loved the energy and enthusiasm kids would bring to every activity, every field trip and every group song or skit. Going to summer camp as a camper and then working at a summer camp as a counselor made me want to be a kid and feel that enthusiasm and joy forever. I feel that being part of educational environments with kids, is about as close as you can get to that.
I have a lot of experience working with kids. I have worked in early childhood educations as a classroom aid in the 3-5 year old classroom at two different pre- schools in North Carolina. (See resume)
Also, in senior year of HS as part of an internship for my AP Spanish course, I worked at an after school center in San Rafael, CA called Canal Community Alliance. I played the role of mentor and homework assistant/ tutor to children who were first generation Americans, from homes where English is not spoken. Most of these kids were native Spanish speakers who had learned English in school. I also worked as multi-subject tutor with several age groups, some in Lima, Peru. This was an all Spanish speaking immersive environment. I assistant children ages 7-10 with language arts homework, English as a second language coursework and elementary mathematics. Helping a child do math, in a language that isn't my native language, was certainly a challenge but it was also very fun and interesting!
I completed my undergraduate degree at Fordham University in New York, NY. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts form Fordham University Lincoln Center. I studied international/ intercultural Studies with a regional emphasis in Latin America. I am capable in several subjects but my specialty is Spanish. I am fluent and have studied it academically for 10 years. I have also lived and worked abroad in Argentina and Peru and traveled and spent time in several Latin American countries. I have also worked one on one with kids coaching them on acting, singing and dance. I have tutored in cultural anthropology 101, and introductory Physiology as well but again my strength is Spanish, and voice. I have been a singer in a band for 10 years, and grew up on stage. So I have a lot of knolegde, coaching and feedback I can share with any student who is studying vocal performance.
My favorite subject is Spanish for reasons that I have previously stated. I have loved the language from a very young age. I began to pick words up here and there as a kid, there were a lot of Spanish speakers in my neighborhood. Then I really enjoyed learning it in the classroom starting when I was in 7th grade. I traveled to Dominican Republic when I was 16 and that was the first immersive Spanish language experience I had and it was a blast. After that I was always looking for opportunities to practice and hone my language skills. I love connecting with people through music as well, and learning songs in Spanish was an exciting way to practice too. I can include this in lessons if the student demonstrates an interest in music.
I would describe my teaching philosophy as: Make it fun! I love Spanish and put passion and joy into my teaching. I approach tutoring in any subject by finding things the student can relate to and find things that resonate with them.
Outside of academia, I love to sing, get outdoors, cook, dance, garden and swim! And travel when possible. I can't wait to see what we can learn together!