Experience Summary
As a graduate from Missouri's former Teacher College, I had a strong desire to share what I learned with others wanting bilingual fluency. I earned my BS in Spanish and went back to get certified to teach K-12 when I got out of the Army Reserve Defense Language Institute as a Russian Linguist. My teaching has brought me from public schools in Missouri, after-school enrichment programs, teaching full time in California public schools to Adult Education in Florida. Students in my classes have ranged from pre-K to adult and from ages 4-74.
Teaching Style
What a revolution that Multiple Intelligence Theory! When I heard about Howard Gardner's work in 1992, I immediately implemented what I was learning in my classes. Grammar translation drills were a thing of the past and all attention was on communication competency. Since then, I have always infused my lessons with videos, computer exercises, songs, realia and role plays. I believe all people who have learned a first language have the capacity to learn a second!