Hello!  Welcome to class.  I can't wait to help students explore the world of languages and music.  My goal is to spark my students' curiosity and fascination so that they will love to learn for the rest of their lives.  I have a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Wichita State University with a minor in Spanish, plus a TESOL/TESL/TEFL certificate from Oxford Seminars.  The three things I’m most excited to teach on Oustchool are Spanish, piano, and world cultures. For me, these three things are oddly connected and deeply rooted in my life.  

Spanish:  I learned to converse fluently in Spanish while living as an international exchange student in Mexico. Then, I taught English as a second language to Spanish-speaking adult students for six years.  Nowadays, I keep up my Spanish by conversing with my Spanish-speaking students and friends. My Spanish classes give an immersive experience with real-life settings, songs, games, and conversations that get students speaking Spanish and asking questions in a natural and fun environment. 

Music:  I fell in love with playing the piano when I was about ten years old.  Classically trained, I competed in classical piano competitions all across the country throughout high school and college, soloed with two different orchestras, and participated in a variety of chamber music ensembles.  I've been teaching private piano lessons for 10+ years, and I recently ventured into online piano lessons.  Don’t miss out on the piano lessons!  It's a precious skill you'll have for the rest of your life!

World Cultures:  The world is our classroom!  I have been to twenty-two countries where I have learned so much from the different languages, cultures, foods, and traditions.  I stepped outside the USA for the first time as a 12-year-old, and I've never been the same.  I can’t wait to share the experiences, traditions, clothes, food, places and cultures from around the world.   Oh....and my last name is fun to say because my husband is from Kenya! Ask me how to pronounce it in class!

Teaching Philosophy: My goal is to make lifelong learners by facilitating a space where students can be curious, ask questions, and discover for themselves what fascinates them.