"Hello! Building effective working relationships with students to acquire new understanding and gain insights is what motivates me. I have a patient, accommodating, easy-going personality. I believe learning should be natural, enjoyable, and relevant to one's understanding of the world we live in.

Learning is not just about the subject material, it is also about the student's approach and relationship to the material. Does my student care about what he is learning? Does my student believe she can learn the material, complete the assignment, or pass the exam?

For my history students, I believe that history should be one of the most interesting, fascinating, and compelling topics we can study. History is not about "dead white men" and bland, forgettable dates. Rather, history is the true story of what mankind has done. But, like any subject, history becomes valuable only when we understand how the story is relevant to our own life experience ("What does this have to do with me?"). When I can help a student see why what happened in the past matters to us today, the student will see value in the material and is motivated to learn more.

For my reading and writing students, communicating your own thoughts, feelings, and opinions well is a great feeling and it makes a huge difference in how others perceive you for the rest of your life. Everything else you learn is built on reading, writing, and self-expression.

For my test prep students, success is just a matter of preparing and keeping an optimistic outlook. With all the resources available to study for the SAT, MCAS, ACT exam, it is more possible than ever to do well AND learn something in the process.

I hold a bachelor's degree in history and a Massachusetts teaching license in history. I have also completed graduate level coursework in education. I currently work at a high school as a student aid and, the past, worked two years as a student aid at a middle school.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, writing, playing guitar and keyboards, producing music, cook" less...