I've been teaching- either in front of a classroom or one on one with individual students- since 2003. Teaching is something I truly enjoy and a part of my life from which I derive a great deal of fulfillment and inspiration. Reading, writing, and language learning are three of my favorite pastimes. Through my own learning experience and my time as a teacher I have developed a great respect for the unique learning process of each individual. I've had the opportunity to explore this process through teaching reading classes (which covered everything from basic phonics to university-level study skills and speed reading) to ESL instruction (including conversation, business English and TOEFL test preparation classes), and finally to Mandarin tutoring where I have the opportunity to share my written and spoken Mandarin skills as well as the cultural understanding and experience I gained from having lived in China for over three years. Through these diverse experiences I have taught students between the ages of 4 and 92 from all over the world. Along the way I have also benefited from knowing and having been taught by many great teachers. One of the most lasting lessons I have taken away from them is the importance of a good rapport between teacher and student to the learning process. Through establishing a good rapport with my students I strive to get to know them and gain an understanding of their learning strengths and challenges. One of my strengths as a language tutor definitely comes from the countless hours that I have invested in studying languages- predominantly Mandarin Chinese, but also German and Spanish. The process of successful language acquisition is something that is never far from my mind as I continue to hone my own language skills and plan lessons to best facilitate my students' continued success. While reading, writing, and language studying are three of my favorite pastimes, I also enjoy getting away from my desk to go on long jogs around Chicago, play basketball with my Monday night pick-up crew, and- weather permitting- get my cross-country skis waxed up and hit the trails.

Sports: Running, Basketball, Swimming; Traveling; Cooking; Reading; Writing