teaching

For the 2007-2008 academic year, I was in rural Taiwan teaching English to elementary school students as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. The program pairs Fellows with experienced local teachers to inject new energy and culture into public English education. My adventures in Taiwan are documented on my blog.

I have also spent many summers working at Concordia Japanese Villages’ Japanese village, 森の池 (Mori no Ike). Concordia Language Villages runs summer camps where we teach foreign language and culture through immersion. We have an incredible amount of fun and the kids gain fluency and confidence in their Japanese ability.

Beliefs

My beliefs on teaching in a nutshell:

• Good teaching engages the student critically, emotionally, and physically.
• Good teaching is many times learner-centered, giving learners opportunities for creative expression and decision-making in their learning.
• Learning should be fun and rewarding, inspiring a passion.
• Good teaching goes beyond the content of the lesson and guides students in growing as persons.
• Students must feel safe in their learning environment in order to reach their full potential.

Experience

Here are summaries of my previous professional experiences in teaching and education.

• Teaching Assistant
  , Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  Spring 2011
  Teaching Assistant to 24.900 Introduction to Linguistics by David Pesetsky
• Fulbright English Teaching Assistant
  , Fulbright Taiwan
  AY 2007–2008
  Taught English to 200 students in rural Taiwanese elementary schools together with a local teacher. Grades 1–6.
• Credit Teacher
  , Concordia Lanugage Villages Japanese village (森の池)
  Summer 2007
  Taught a unique one year (180 hour) high school Japanese course in an immersion camp setting.
• Student Director
  , University of Chicago New Student Orientation
  September 2006
  Organized and led Orientation for 1350 incoming students to the College. Trained and mentored a group of Orientation Leaders, helping them facilitate workshops for new students and manage social and academic events.
• Assistant Dean
  , Concordia Lanugage Villages Japanese village (森の池)
  Summers 2005, 2006
  Assisted the Dean in the planning, preparation, and implementation of all aspects of the Village program and the general business operations of the Village. Independently developed an online student information system called viper—more information on my code page.
• Assistant Resident Head (RA)
  , University of Chicago Undergraduate Housing
  AY 2005–2006
  Fulfilled counseling, administrative, and organizational duties to promote a healthy and safe residential environment which supports academic exchange and stimulation.
• Two Week Curriculum Facilitator
  , Concordia Lanugage Villages Japanese village (森の池)
  Summers 2003, 2004
  Led and supported two week program staff in the counseling and teaching of 100 students in an immersive language camp setting.
• VIGRE Course Assistant (TA)
  , University of Chicago Mathematics
  AY 2004–2005
  Assisted the instructor in teaching the 150’s Calculus sequence. Led problem sessions, held office hours, and graded assignments.
• Junior Counselor
  , Concordia Lanugage Villages Japanese village (森の池)
  Summers 2001, 2002
  Lived with and taught Japanese to students, ages 7–18, in an immersive language camp setting.
• Teaching Assistant
  , University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program
  AY 2002–2003
  Assisted the instructor in teaching the Honors Calculus II sequence to advanced high school students. Led problem sessions, held office hours, and graded tests.

Resume and contact

Feel free to view my curriculum vitae.