I have a vast amount of experience from growing up in Europe, Pacific Islands, North and Central America to share and teach from. My background along with my multidisciplinary education will benefit my students in more than an educational perspective. I can lend life skills to my students that will make learning and growing a fun and exciting time in their lives. I understand that everyone is different, but feel that a lot of people waste their time as a student and wait until adulthood to learn the skills that are essential to happiness and pursuing a rewarding career. I want to help young people in their pursuit to become the best problem solvers possible.
My professional photography career is centered around fashion, commercial advertising and media. My lineage of mentors from Martin Ryter are Robert Maplethorpe and Richard Avedon- three of the most influential photographers of the art today. During the 1930 to 1987, and still today in Martin Ryters' case they are creating a world in which our art can survive and grow. I am able to participate because of these artists before me. My photography background affects my tutorial philosophy in the sense that I carry on what has been handed down. At the University of New Mexico I was an honor student in photography with Walter Pinto, a master print maker and petroglyph photographer. His photography program in association with Kodak is where I learned the basics of film photography, processing and enlarging, and teaching photography. I use my conventional photography education along with my influence from controversial mentors to teach students the basics of digital or film photography, as well as about the art world in an assertive photography format to uphold the standards of creating compelling photography. At the same time I pay attention to the individual's creative path, whatever it may be or become, and steer him or her in their best direction.
I have been playing soccer since I was four years old. Starting in Spain where I grew up and where the sport became part of me and my life force. I was mentored by professional athletes from major clubs in Spain and Portugal until my move to the USA and Guam. In Guam my high school didn't even have a soccer team until 1993 when my class won the island championship. Then again in 1994 when my team traveled Okinawa to compete and win the Pacific Rim school championship. This success inspired coaches to form an under 21 World Cup team which I played on in 1994 and 1995. The team was a bit rag tag and we didn't go far against Japan and China. After high school I was recruited by the University of New Mexico and ended my college career as a red shirt my first year there. I wanted to play competitive in men's league and coach too. I was assistant coach and player of Shahin Futbol Club in Albuquerque and helped to advance the team into the premier league. After I graduated from UNM I moved to Austria and played joined the Graz team GAK. I wasn't advancing quickly enough there and decided to to try out for other teams in Spain. I never had the patience to wait years to become part of the 1st team of any clubs and by the time I moved back to the states I had acquired more experience then money or prestige. This has been great for me because I love coaching and enjoying the sport. As a coach I work on the basics of ball handling and physical fitness, game philosophy, team work, and high work rate. My players gain a sense of the game as a life skill and self motivator. Soccer is an endeavor and the small percentage that have the talent and resources to become professional will have a step up with me as a coach. The majority of players will become physically stronger and mentally steeled against the challenges that lie ahead.
My mom is a professional triathlete and enrolled me in swim team at the young age of 6. I have benefited from having swimming in my life, as a leisure activity as well as a competitive sport, enormously. Because I am a strong swimmer I became a Lifeguard at a young age and this became my first career. I don't know what would have become of me if I didn't have a job like Lifeguarding in my teen age years. I started teaching swim lessons when I was 17 and still enjoy teaching people how to learn to swim or how to improve their technique. Also at the age of 17 I started training my mom in the sport and art of the triathlon. I approach coaching swimming as if it is going to be a part of your life forever. This includes surfing and SCUBA. I have the experience and knowledge to safely teach and train any age person at any skill level in competitive and leisure swimming.
Cooking is a passion of mine. From living around the world I have learned and experienced so many different foods and cuisines. I enjoy helping others understand the art of food preparation, cooking enjoyment and gastronomy. My cooking classes are intended to provide students with a solid set of dishes that they can rely on as well as giving them the ability and confidence to try new and different styles of cooking they find compelling.
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