I'm a mom with 3 bilingual kids- ages 27, 24, and 23. I've been substitute teaching for more than four years, and think that I've brought new meaning to everybody's usual idea of subs, because I care! I try to add my lifetime experiences living 3 years in Paris and 24 years in Rome (with 15 summers in England) to make the subject come alive and therefore be more memorable. For example: for a 6th grade class studying Ancient Rome, besides telling unique kid oriented stories, I brought in an unusual shard of Etruscan pottery to pass around. Have you ever actually gotten to touch something 2500 years old? For an 8th grade class studying WWI, I was able to tell an incredible coincidence of a true story about a young Italian soldier and a German field surgeon spanning both world wars. I have all kinds of ideas and tricks to help you remember what you're studying in a fun and easy way.
My teaching style is easy going, but serious. I want to help you remember the subject, but also understand it, so that it sticks once the exam is over. I have a B.A. and teaching certificate in French (with an excellent accent for an American) and Spanish (which is okay, but compromised, thanks to my Italian). I did post grad at the Sorbonne, American Univ. of Rome, and recently got a 4.0 in US/AZ Constitution and SEI-Strategies for English Immersion (a prelude to getting an ESL certificate) at PVCC. I completed Berlitz teacher training in English, French, Italian, and Spanish in 2008. I've subbed many ESL classes, and feel particularly close to kids, like mine, trying to assimilate into life in the U.S. I've been a life long reader and traveler, so languages, history (U.S., European, and Art), geography, and literature, are my strong points. I work well with elementary kids and try to make their subjects fun. For example: Reading comes along with silly sounds or actions to help remember vocabulary). I also have my teaching certificate from L'Ecole Cordon Bleu in Paris. I am very flexible and look forward to working with you!
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