When I was 14, I traveled to Germany for the first time on a cultural exchange program. I had not yet learned any of the language and I was desperate to communicate with the other kids in the host family. I struggled to understand the directions for games and follow dinner time conversations. After just a few days, I felt like I would never be able to understand this new language. Then, one day, my four year old host sister, Sophia, took my hand and led me into the garden. She pointed at a tree and said, “der Baum”; she pointed up at a bird and said, “der Vogel”; she picked a flower, gave it to me and said, “die Blume.” Suddenly, I could understand. My four year old teacher showed me that I could learn the language. By taking my hand that day, she led me to my future career path and passion: language acquisition.
Since that experience, I’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in German language and literature and a master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages. I’ve taught German and English as an Additional Language in elementary, middle, high school and adult programs in urban, suburban, rural, and international settings. Since 2013, I have coached, consulted, and provided professional learning in schools across the US and around the world.
My book publications include:
- Putting it Together, student and teacher materials for adult English Learners which have been translated into Spanish, Dutch, and sign language
- Long-Term Success for Experienced Multilinguals (Corwin, 2023)
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