Hello. I grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in east Tennessee, near the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. My adolescent years were filled with learning to appreciate and protect nature, hiking a lot, and riding my bicycle whenever possible. It was an ideal place to grow up. I have carried my love of nature, bicycling, and hiking with me throughout life.
Both of my parents were teachers, so I guess it is a natural path for me to follow. I have been a teacher of some sort or another for most of my life. I have also worked in several labor sectors including dairy farming, agriculture, construction, chemical laboratories, teaching art at college and universities, teaching English in Germany, and several tutoring and substitute teaching jobs in the USA.
My specialities are business English, conversational English, art, and the environment. I am TEFL and TESOL certified and have earned an MBA. With my vast knowledge in many different areas, I tailor English lessons to fit my students’ passions, levels of comprehension, and goals. I enjoy the interaction with my students and bring a comfortable learning environment with each lesson. My lessons are geared for improving students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills to their maximum abilities in as short a period as possible.
I also have experience in editing graduate and post-graduate theses, assisting with immigration and citizenship paperwork, facilitating, implementing computer language programs, translating German into English, and editing English documents.
I hope to see you in one of my classes!
English is a very interesting language with its many influences from other languages. The interaction with learners of English and their desire to learn another language is motivating and inspiring. I enjoy learning from my students and think it is an honor to help them learn the skills that are necessary in order to become proficient in their chosen new language.
My philosophy in teaching English is fairly basic. I want my students to enjoy learning, so I make the atmosphere light and enjoyable. I cater my lessons to them specifically, taking into account what their goals for learning English are. I want them to become as efficient as possible in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, so they can become comfortable communicating with anyone who speaks English.
I enjoy both in-person and online learning. I see both as having a very positive potential for accumulating knowledge. Of course, I prefer one-on-one teaching the best, but am also accustomed to small groups and large groups if the circumstances call for it.
BFA
May 1982
TEFL
June 1998
MBA
June 2014
Certificate
February 2020
Kent State University, Kent, Ohio USA
August 1984 to May 1986
Taught sculpture classes to undergraduate university students.
Environmental Construction Company, Tallmadge, OH USA
February 1987 to August 1989
Trainer/Supervisor in Asbestos Abatement
Trained and led teams in following maximum adherence to government and industry regulations.
Corning Laboritories, Cleveland/Canton, OH USA
August 1989 to June 1995
Facilitator for IT group during implementation of new computer program.
Produced best-practices video for procedure in organic extractions laboratory.
inlingua Sprachschule and Handelschule Hermann, Fulda, Germany
November 1998 to January 2005
Instructed individuals and groups of up to 25 adults across styles and levels in business and conversational English. Provided employee and student training for numerous clients, including hospitals, universities, newspapers, Information Technology, packaging, manufacturing, and food supply. Helped prepare and administer an English computer education course.
A to Z Tutoring, Nashville, TN USA
August 2005 to May 2006
Tutored 7th - 9th graders in math, English, and science
Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga, TN USA
August 2006 to December 2006
Taught Art Appreciation to freshmen and sophomores. I was a fill in for the professor who was on sabbatical.
Hamilton County Department of Education, Chattanooga, TN USA
August 2009 to May 2010
Substitute teacher for 7th - 12th graders in math, science, social studies, and art
Self
February 2020 to Current
Helping learners of English on WeChat and HelloTalk.