Experience Summary
At the age of 19 I have achieved an AA degree in education with a minor in sign language. I applied to the University of South Florida with a determination to come out with a BA in interpreting for the deaf. I have now after one year at USF, finished ASL 1-4 and started the classes in interpreting. American Sign Language and teaching others American Sign Language has become my life. I have tutored english and psychology on an official level in my community college, Valencia Community College, and tutored sign language on an unofficial level. I taught my boyfriend sign language to the point of his recently achieved fluency for the last year and a half. I have traveled to many deaf events to learn sign from native signers. I have also interpreted for a business woman in marketing. I also have paid to go to a convention called "Silent Weekend" where I learned from 2 days of workshops, 12 hours a day. I also have taught dance, one of my other passions, for 2 years at my old dance academy in Kissimmee, Leggz Dance Academy.
Teaching Style
I love teaching and sign language more than anything in my life. I have always been passionate about teaching and in the last 2 years I have fallen in love with ASL. I think it is completely possible for anyone to become successful quickly with ASL as long as they have the time and effort to put into it. I give all of my students the tools they need to become a fluent signer at their own pace. I am patient and correct their mistakes in a kind manner. I do not easily become angry or frustrated when a person doesn't understand something. I believe having recently learned sign language is a plus for a sign language tutor because I understand the common errors people make when learning and how to fix them. I can relate to my students on a different level then a native speaker. I try to instill a sense of confidence into them and help them achieve all their goals.