I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, and came to the US to finish high school and attend college. I went to Bowdoin College in Maine and earned a BA in Art History and German. As a native Spanish speaker with extensive teaching experience, I offer authentic language instruction in Spanish and English. I connect deeply with ESL students, as I was an ESL student myself when I first arrived in the US. In addition to teaching, I am a practicing artist focused on painting, which brings a...
I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, and came to the US to finish high school and attend college. I went to Bowdoin College in Maine and earned a BA in Art History and German. As a native Spanish speaker with extensive teaching experience, I offer authentic language instruction in Spanish and English. I connect deeply with ESL students, as I was an ESL student myself when I first arrived in the US. In addition to teaching, I am a practicing artist focused on painting, which brings a creative perspective to my language instruction.
My 30-year teaching journey began in 1993 with the Russian refugee resettlement program (NYANA), where I taught beginner to intermediate ESL focused on occupational English. Three years later, I began teaching ESL and Spanish at Baruch College’s Continuing Ed Department, where I stayed for 27 years. Early on, I taught in Baruch's satellite program affiliated with Dartmouth College’s Rassias Language Immersion Program. I received certification with the advanced Rassias Program, which shaped my teaching philosophy. The method centers on the idea that the best way to learn a second language is to speak it and live it—through immersion in the target language using drills, dialogues, and role-playing, while minimizing use of the native language.
My time at Baruch spanned two distinct approaches. Initially, I used the Rassias method. In 2004, the program became more academically focused. I adapted by emphasizing writing, reading, vocabulary, and grammar for college readiness while keeping interactive elements. In multi-level classes of 10–15, my students mastered academic skills and fluent communication. I also incorporated note-taking and presentation skills essential for college success.
Since Baruch’s ESL and Language Department closed after the pandemic, I’ve focused on one-on-one tutoring. My mission remains the same: to empower students with linguistic tools and cultural understanding for real-world communication in a stress-free, immersive environment.
