Private Spanish Lessons & Tutoring
About
My passion is making connections through the exploration of foreign culture. Learning a foreign language is a process.
State (Virginia) licensed with endorsement in Spanish PreK-12.
5 years teaching Spanish through the AP level in public high schools.
Equally comfortable with both Iberian & Latin American Spanish, although my personal love is for Spain.
I love seeing those "a-ha" moments when students "get it," especially when they don't see them coming.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to begin with a conversation about the student's history and goals. Where are they from? What do they like to do? Where do they want to go? How can the Spanish language help them get there?
Once we have answers to these questions we can begin charting a course forward that's appropriate for them.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Spanish Language & Culture in December 2011. During my studies I lived abroad in Valencia, Spain for a semester and fell in love with the people and culture there.
I started teaching Spanish for Richmond Public Schools at the high school level in the fall of 2016 and have been teaching ever since.
In the summer of 2018 I attended an AP summer training course to prepare for teaching AP Spanish Language & Culture in the 2018-2019 school year. Through that training I learned a great deal about creative methods for engaging high-level students. The flexibility of private lessons lets me incorporate authentic sources and situational learning.
After taking some continuing education courses through various colleges, I received my full renewable teaching license in the spring of 2019.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $30 per hour (one-on-one).
I offer discounts for small groups that would like small group sessions together. I like to limit these to 2 or 3 students but am (potentially) open to slightly larger groups.
I prefer one-hour sessions, but I am very flexible when it comes to timing and schedule.
How did you get started teaching?
I first began to enjoy teaching when I was young through my involvement in the Boy Scouts. I have served on my local council's youth leader training staff since 2005 and have always loved the processes of skillbuilding and mentoring.
In the fall of 2015 I decided to embrace my love of teaching and began the process of changing careers to teach Spanish professionally.
I began teaching for Richmond Public Schools in the 2016-2017 school year and have been teaching there ever since.
What types of students have you worked with?
My formal teaching experience has been in an urban, predominantly minority high school. My students have ranged in age from 13 to 19 and cover all skill levels.
I have extensive experience working with beginner Spanish learners - building their confidence, motivating them, and helping them find success in their language journey.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
My advice is to find a teacher who has cultural knowledge in areas that interest you. Understanding Spanish is as much about learning to love the people and places as it is learning to read and write the words.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What do I feel is my biggest weakness in the language?
Why do I want to study Spanish?
What interests me most about the various Spanish-speaking cultures?
Where would I someday like to go in the Spanish-speaking world?
How could I incorporate Spanish in my community?