My name is Maria. I was born in South Carolina, USA. When I was 7 years old my family moved to Latin America. When I graduated from high school, I returned to the US to attend university  I have been married for 39 years and have 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren. 

I have a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of South Carolina and have been a teacher for over 25 years.  Much of my teaching experience has been teaching reading. I have led children's book clubs and read aloud groups. I have taught reading comprehension and grammar, history and American Government to elementary and middle school students. I am bilingual and I have taught Spanish to children and adults for many years. I also have many years experience teaching ESL in person and online. 

I love to read. I also love to travel. I've been to the driest desert in the world and the southern most city on the globe. I've climbed a mountain in Central America where you can see both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean,  and I have kissed the Blarney Stone.  I have done many exciting things. I have flown in a glider and a hot air balloon and I have parasailed. But I will never, EVER, bungee jump! 

Students in my classes will have fun while they work hard improving their academic skills. I have a lot of experience teaching children online, and I know how to keep students engaged in the lesson.  I am a patient teacher. Children matter. Their ideas and opinions matter, and their success matters. I want to hear what my students have to say.  I make sure they know I am proud of them.