I have a MA in German Philology and Linguistics, and a Masters Level ESL Certificate from UW-Madison. I've taught university-level German and English, and have taken lots of linguistics courses which helps me to teach you proper pronunciation, a necessary foundation for learning a second language. Part of my personal gifting is for learning foreign languages, and I know how to translate that to teaching. I have a natural passion to teach what I've learned and make it enjoyable.
I have a strong work ethic and high personal expectations for myself. Subsequently, I like to work with students who have specific academic goals and would like to develop a functional fluency in the language. Don't worry! I can help you formulate a learning plan to reach those goals - I also have a MA in counseling, and am a coach and trainer, as well as an instructor. I started learning German at age 18, so I understand what it's like to gain mastery of a language as a young adult. I've made six German-language business trips for three US corporations, so I know how to function in a cross-cultural Business environment.
I lived as an educator in Germany for 6 years, and have visited there countless times - including once or twice a year in the past 8 years when I taught ESL at a university in the Middle East.
Last summer (2016) I rented a car and saw many of my German friends (both East- and West-), and visited WWII sites - which I plan to describe with a website in Sept.
I'm well versed with cultural history, especially the recent controversial refugee crisis.
My strongest academic passions are for German dialectology and Medieval Art History.