I love teaching. Nearly as much as I love learning. I’m driven by this passion for knowledge, and find that there’s nothing that I enjoy quite as much as helping someone else find and experience the gift that comes through the pursuit of knowledge—particularly the learning of another language!

In my opinion, it would benefit everyone if we were all bi-or even multilingual. There could be greater understanding of one another, and so many more perspectives to explore. It is for this reason that I chose to pursue the language path— the world is just too big to simply focus on our innermost community. There’s too much to learn to sit back and wait for others to learn to speak my language, and expect them to see things my way. I want to see things in theirs.

Learning Philosophy

After a year in graduate school and ten years of miscellaneous teaching experience, I finally formulated the following learning philosophy, which serves to encapsulate my teaching style. Granted, it doesn’t address the specifics, regarding my belief and tendency towards TPRS methods, but it gives an accurate overall picture.

1. Anybody can learn a language.

2. Basic needs must be met before learning can take place.

3. Learning is change. All change takes place over time and through experience.

4. All students have needs and particular learning styles. Learning is most effective when these needs and styles are addressed.

5. Trusting and enjoyable relationships increase motivation and self-concept.

6. Learning is affected by one's prior knowledge, beliefs, self-concept and sense of identity.  

7. Students construct their own meaning to form knowledge.

8. Teachers teach more than their subject. Modeling positive energy and excitement for life serves to motivate on many fronts.

9. Emotional memory takes precedence. Learning, therefore, should be a blend of information and positive, memorable experiences.

10.If we teach with our HEART, and share our soul, we can better know our students and teach to their interests.