Teaching Philosophy
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a spark to be kindled."
--Plutarch
For years, this quote hung on the wall above my desk, serving as my north star, a pedagogical lighthouse to guide me as a young professor.
I truly adore teaching. The classroom -- in person or virtual -- is my home, and I consider it both an honor and a privilege to mentor young minds. I'm passionate about the power of education to change lives, and I consistently find that by bringing that passion to the teaching process, I can help inspire it in my students as well.
My most gratifying moments as an educator are those times when the engagement is palpable, when I can feel the connections happening and see the ‘lights’ going on in the eyes of my students. To help kindle that ‘spark’ in young learners, it’s key to help them tap into their innate curiosity and guide them to make their own discoveries.
As an holistic academic coach, I always begin by connecting with students on an individual basis – to learn what matters to them. From there, we build a bridge between their passions and the task at hand. I love the challenge of helping young people connect with their instrinsic motivation – to find a sense of purpose and take ownership of their academic journey.
This student-centered approach earned me a loyal following, and I was honored to be recognized by Fordham University with an award for Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
I am a New York City parent and have lived through every step of the journey, from nursery school through college applications. My son attended both public and private schools, so I'm familiar with both environments. I understand the stresses facing families, first hand, and I'm here to help. Let me step in to provide scaffolding and structure for your student, so that you can get back to enjoying family time. I am also comfortable with assisting you in advocating for your student with their school.
As the parent of a neurodivergent learner, I know what it's like to watch a bright child struggle. Fortunately, we now understand that different types of students need different kinds of support; I have experience working with a range of learning styles, and am happy to create a customized plan to meet the unique needs of your teen.