Background information:
I’m a video, digital media and sound artist born in Washington DC, USA. I also teach at Emily Carr University of Art + Design where I founded TEDxECUAD.
Years spent teaching: 7
What made you decide to become a teacher?
While studying Spanish in Spain, my teachers and the cultural experience had a life changing impact on me. That made me want to teach language and create similar opportunities for students too.
What’s the thing you love most about teaching English at EC?
Even though I’m a teacher, the thing I love most is learning from the students every day. They come from every place and profession on earth, and something totally unexpected is around every corner. It enriches and evolves me as a human being, teaches me more about teaching and how people learn, and continually expands my vision.
What makes teaching at EC so special?
When everyone comes together forming connections across hundreds of backgrounds, all towards a common goal, something special happens more than at any other place. This keeps EC Vancouver buzzing, and a warm, welcoming and exciting place. We also have great leadership and well-organized resources, which makes EC a great environment for this to happen in terms of each teacher’s role in the community among students and staff. And we’re not simply ‘teaching English.’ We’re helping students discover tools for them to create movement and meaning in the world in whichever way suits them as individuals, while in the meantime making world connections, bridging cultural gaps, and strengthening bonds. This is quite something to be a part of, and it can only happen in a place like EC.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from a student that really stands out?
An introduction to the amazing world of creative Korean films. Because of that, I see the world differently now in terms of how I create and engage with audiovisual arts.
What is your favourite story about a student/teaching?
A student tried to answer a question by making up a tense called “future past.”
What do you think makes a good teacher?
Caring about the students, really listening to them in a focused way, learning about each individual and what they relate to, and talking ‘with’ them instead of ‘to’ them.
