Teaching
I have been licensed as a teacher and have extensive teaching experience in both English and Spanish at the prekindergarten (nursery school,) kindergarten, primary school (grade school, grammar school, elementary school,) secondary school (high school, grammar school) levels, and in higher education (college, university.) To name one example, I taught chemistry at both the University of Puerto Rico and at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, always using English texts while conducting classes in Spanish.
I have a Masters of Science Degree in Education, graduating from the Fordham University Graduate School of Education with a 3.7 out of 4.0 Grade Point Average. Please click on this text to read more about my Masters of Science Degree in Education.
I have also taught many specialized business courses which not only emphasize language learning, but also help to create a cultural awareness that is so important to forming lasting and mutually-beneficial professional relationships. Several of these courses were researched and prepared by me, in addition to my having been the instructor.
In addition, I have also been an instructor at a Gymnasium in Austria (2005-2007), teaching conversational, reading, listening, and cultural skills in both English and Spanish. This teaching also included experimental plurilingual classes where I taught subjects such as chemistry in English, as opposed to the native language of the students (usually German,) in order to enhance their interlingual abilities and foster multiculturalism. A Gymnasium is a secondary school that prepares students for higher education.
I have several goals when teaching, and these include providing an inclusive academic environment where the students can significantly improve their linguistic and cultural skills, and still be themselves. A setting where they can interact with each other offering encouragement and new ideas, while always expressing themselves in a respectful and considerate manner.
A milieu where they can be creative, curious, open, and analytical, confident that they will receive support and recognition. Where they can savour their progress and make the best of their strengths, while eager to recognize areas where they can improve, knowing that they are active participants in a life characterized by a love of learning.
In addition, I have made the most of this time by not just wholeheartedly teaching but by also learning myself about how students acquire knowledge. I have a keen awareness of what gets intellectually absorbed at what stage of an education.
I have recommendation letters from this teaching work, which you can read by clicking on the following links:
Recommendation letter from a Gymnasium School Director.
Recommendation letter from a Colleague in the English Department.