So my work as an SAT tutor is finished until September. I have to say I really loved working with small groups of extremely motivated and polite kids in extremely luxe settings like country clubs and penthouse floors of office buildings. You are probably thinking, “Sounds great! What’s not to like?” and you would be right to ask. The answer is nothing. It was awesome. However, it did take up some precious time of which I have little since I am always planning my classes and grading at my full time job. Continue reading →

Well, I have a big decision to make and I’m learning a lot about myself in the process of making it. First big realization: I don’t like making big decisions. It’s stressful and I have a face full of blemishes to prove it. Second big realization: Continue reading →

So I haven’t posted in a month and a half. People have been bugging me about it and I have to admit I feel a little guilty about it….but only a little because things at work are CRAZY!

I teach at a private school in Quito which has an amazing reputation and equally amazing children. First, let me acknowledge that I am teaching the most homogenous group of kids that I have EVER taught during my 19 years. They all come from upper middle class families. They all are light skinned Ecuadorians. They all have supportive, two-parent households and do not have to work a part time job to get by. You get the idea.

Despite its many differences from my school’s demographics in Boston, the school has really made me think about what happens in the US in terms of education from the teachers’ point of view as well as the students’ point of view. These kids love to learn. They Continue reading →