Experience Summary
Teaching Assistant for Spanish 201 and 202 for two sections each semester from January 2014 to Spring 2015 at Iowa State University, Reported to Dr. Cristina Pardo Ballester. Taught Sociology of Work at ISU (Spring 2013), Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems and Race and Ethnic Relations at Grand View, and Introduction to Sociology at DMACC. I also worked as a bilingual customer service representative for Principal (Investor Specialist II) and was a Peace Corps volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa prior to pursuing my graduate studies at ISU. Regarding drumming and percussion I trained a group of young people in traditional West African Rhythms and played drum set in a number of local bands. Currently, I am part of a musical project where I play drum set on some songs, djembe on others and dun dun on others. There are videos of some of the percussion performances of the group that I trained (with me) on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9wbUCfE6RQJHe4z4P-WrrQ
Teaching Style
I like to begin by ascertaining the level of the student. Learning is best achieved when the student actively takes part, remains focused, engages in dialogue about the material. If teaching a group I enjoy 'interactive lecture/presentation' and group discussion. I employ a variety of mediums (depending on the subject matter to help communicate material. Regarding one on one tutoring, the best method, I believe, is to work with the student to identify what are the concepts that they struggle with and explain/demonstrate these concepts from a variety of different perspectives.
My Hobbies
I enjoy learning other languages. I also speak Mandinka from The Gambia, West Africa
| Drums |
 This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I am an expert drummer/percussionist. I teach drumset and West African Percussion/djembe. I can help you advance to the next level. |
| Percussion |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| I am a very experienced drummer and percussionist. I teach djembe and dundun from West Africa. I have trained with Madou Dembele and Bolokada Conde. I do not teach marimba, balaphone, piano etc. |
| Social Studies |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I am a Ph.D. ABD in Sociology. (I expect to defend my dissertation this fall and graduate with Ph.D. in December. I can tutor/teach methods, social problems, race and ethnic relations, intro/general courses, deviance, social change and development etc. |
| Sociology |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I am a Ph.D. ABD in Sociology. (I expect to defend my dissertation this fall and graduate with Ph.D. in December. I can tutor/teach methods, theory, social problems, race and ethnic relations, intro/general courses, deviance, social change and development etc. |
| Spanish |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught Spanish 201 and 202 (intermediate level courses) at ISU as a TA, worked as a bilingual customer service rep and hold a Bachelor degree in Spanish (and Sociology) from Drake. I make understanding grammar and other concepts accessible and easy. |