Teaching English as a Second Language

After graduating with a BA in Philosophy from Valdosta State University, I decided to participate in the JET (Japan Exchange Teaching) Program and spent 2 incredible years abroad from 2000-2002 teaching English in a Japanese middle school, having the time of my life, indulging in travel and escaping any real responsibility or commitment, until I realized that I, without a doubt in my mind, passionately loved teaching!  Teaching for the JET Program was undoubtedly the most important and significant achievement in my life.  Of course, the significance is influencing the lives of students, but perhaps the most profound accomplishment that came from the JET Program was discovering my true love of teaching.  I realized what I truly wanted to do in life forever: to educate and to serve.

Ever since high school I always thought I wanted to become a lawyer, and some people recommended that I become a doctor. I was an accelerated student, joint-enrolling in college while taking Advanced Placement classes in Calculus, Physics, us History, European History, et al. I enjoyed school. In high school and college, I was an active debater and student government representative, developing skills for public speaking.  Later I would realize that all those years of debate would allow me to become a more effective teacher and presenter. But, all in all, I always thought I was training to become a lawyer.

But when I went to Japan to teach English to 451 junior high school students in a small rural town called Kasai, I realized something profound: I loved my job so much, that everyday became an accomplishment.  From the time I woke up to go to school, to the late hours I came home, I felt like my whole life was fulfilled.  I had found direction and was on the track of something good.

Garrison Keillor wrote: "Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted, but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known."

In teaching, I found that you can do so much for people.  Everyday, I planned lessons -the most creative methods and materials were developed in collaboration with other JET teachers and shared on this teaching portfolio in which I plan to include more teaching resources, ideas, and discussion to share and exchange globally.  As an extension of English learning, I developed and taught Japanese Teachers of English Workshops, so that local teachers could produce "native" articulation themselves in their own classrooms after I left Japan. As peers continued sharing teaching styles and moves, my schemata broadened. However, I always preferred a student-centered approach, allowing students to drive their own learning in the classroom. I always believed in the growth of children, so I expanded English Learning Centers throughout the schools in Kasai. I created a "Passport English" reward-system, so that every student had the opportunity to speak English. When I found my methods were effective and that students were learning, I was so happy!

JET prepared me to teach with confidence and creativity. But most importantly, teaching had changed my life. When I can bring people happiness, I was happy too. The reward of teaching is priceless. Helping students learn and making a difference in their lives provided me the greatest accomplishments in my life, as well as my greatest satisfaction.

After I realized that I loved teaching ESL, I quickly returned to Valdosta to pursue further graduate education in linguistics in order to improve my understanding of language and to enhance my teaching skills.  I took classes in TESOL methodology and socio-linguistics, and soon was hired to serve as an ESL teacher for Valdosta State University's English Language Institute.   In teaching ESL courses for the Center for International Programs, I soon discovered my new capacity and passion to instruct adult learners, especially utilizing my special gift for teaching people who were from different cultures. 

In my professional development as an ESL teacher, I was also able to gain an intimate working knowledge of program administration, as it relates to education.  This was about the same time I decided to enroll in the MPA (Masters in Public Administration) graduate program.  I wanted to learn the skills that integrated my career aspirations as an educator with my work in public administration especially in the area of educational policy and administration.  

By developing and revising the ELI curriculum, I was able to make several changes to course requirements and objectives, selecting and ordering books and other educational materials.  I also implemented curriculum changes based on research and ideas gleaned from my graduate classes in TESL and supported the ELI, serving as a resource to other teachers by developing and overseeing supplemental programs, including teacher-training seminars and special interest classes.  By overseeing other teachers in their TESOL development, I was able to organize component meetings, distributing information about upcoming conferences and other professional development activities.  This collaboration with my colleagues allowed me to obtain new ideas and tap into a broader array of teacher resource materials, as well as prepare myself to conduct new teacher orientation sessions, in-service workshops, and supervising new teachers, graduate teaching assistants, and practicum students.

I also supported the ELI by administering and evaluating placement tests and final tests for ELI, maintaining student records, advising ELI students, providing tutoring as needed, participating in pre-semester activities such as preparing materials and activities for new student orientation, and assisting new students upon arrival.

I continue to remained competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by the ELI Program Director, David Staring. 

Samples of my TESL activities in the ELI classes are available here.