First Grade Math: Subitizing Using Mental Math and Number Conversations

Hi everyone! I’m Toni and I am a homeschooling mom. I have taught my kids, now 11 and 9, all core subjects. I am also a TESOL certified ESL teacher. I have taught almost 4,000 online classes in a span of two years. It's so heartwarming and humbling to know that I have educated over 13,000 Chinese students to date. I am excited to reach more students and teach what I love on the Outschool platform.

I also host educational live shows on another Chinese platform that can be viewed by hundreds of students all over China at one time. I teach anything that can help build their vocabulary and fluency such as: the seasons, weather, holidays & festivals, health & hygiene, parts of the house and even fun events in Texas.

I love bringing my lessons and classes to life. I truly believe that teaching is 1/4 preparation and 3/4 theatrics. 

I have a BA in International Studies. My first job was at the United Nations headquarters in New York but I was always drawn to the hospitality industry. After a year at the UN, I switched careers and started my first hotel job at the iconic and landmark hotel, the Waldorf=Astoria, New York. 9 years later, I found myself at another luxury and historic property, this time in Canada, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. I started planning high-end meetings, conferences, parties and weddings. 

It is this background of many years that has shaped my work ethic today. Working in the luxury sector requires you to always impress guests by going above and beyond their expectations. It is a hard habit to break. I have consciously or subconsciously applied this my teaching style. When I design lessons, I aim to bring a wow-factor for my students so that they are left with not just learning the information but having a memorable experience that will last way past the lesson. 

When I am not teaching, I enjoy pursuing other interests like baking, antiquing, thrifting and dancing. I love baking treats with my kids and making more than plenty to give to neighbors and friends with pretty handmade packaging. I am a huge fan of flea markets and thrift stores. I enjoy the thrill of the find and being creative in repurposing and upcycling furniture. I am in love with Latin dance music. I learned how to dance the salsa when I lived in New York. I attended hundreds of social dance events in the city and even traveled to Palm Springs, Los Angeles and Miami for International Latin Dance conferences and workshops. 

These days however, as a busy work from home mom, we are happy to ask Alexa play us some tunes and dance in the living room and kitchen.