Hello scholars and family!
My name is Bailey and I am a recent college graduate from the University of Maryland College Park. I received my BA in Spanish Language and Literatures and a minor in French Language. Originally from Westchester NY, I started tutoring and mentoring with my peers in high school. Always having an interest in Spanish, I was able to uncover my true passion when at the end of my junior year of high school I received a scholarship to attend a summer program called Exchange in International Living to live in Spain for three months. This was an experience of a lifetime and gave me direction for my studies in college.
At Maryland, I rediscovered my passion to tutor with an after school, math tutorial program for fourth graders, America Counts. First as a tutor and then as a Team Leader, my experience with this program was very influential in my career path to work in Youth Education. This is where I was able to establish my patient, compassionate yet firm tutoring style. I learned how to be creative and make learning fun for kids while at the same time making sure they get the most out of each session.
Another significant accomplishment in my college career was studying abroad for a year by directly enrolling in La Universidad Latina de Costa Rica for a semester and Universite de Montpellier III Paul Valerie in France for the second semester of my junior year. Not only did I save a year in out of state tuition but I also had an experience that changed my life forever in an amazingly positive way. Most importantly, I was able to take my language skills to higher level which was my first priority.
Trying my luck as an entrepreneur in France, I gave English conversation and grammar lessons to adults. It was a lot of fun expanding my reach to willing adults trying to learn or improve their English.
After graduation, being deeply aware of the need for more educational support for children in public schools, I moved to DC to work with disadvantaged youth. I gained my first classroom teaching experience this summer with the Higher Achievement Summer Academy Program, a non profit organization working to bridge the achievement gap amongst middle school students in DC. I truly enjoyed teaching 6th grade Literature, 5th grade Social Studies as well as a mixed 5th-8th grade Spanish elective class. I feel I have been truly enriched by working with this program and have realized that my experience has encouraged me to continue working with children.
A true lover of Language, I specialize in Spanish, French and ESOL, however I am always open to helping out in other subject areas. Language, the fuel of communication, opens doors to new ideas, travel, cultural understanding as well as professional opportunities. I would like to extend this side of academia to as many people, children or adults, as possible. I feel it is imperative that our students are exploring language interests and excelling in as many languages as possible.
I am looking forward to working with you to achieve academic success!
Good Luck this School Year!
Sincerely,
Bailey