I grew up in Los Angeles and attended University High School.  In the summer of my second year at Uni High I was able to attend a study abroad program in Costa Rica.  This sparked my interest in Spanish, and learning languages became my passion.  I traveled, studied and worked in Costa Rica, Mexico and Spain.  I studied to become an interpreter and am a certified interpreter for the State of California.  I also learned French, Catalan, Portuguese, a little bit of Japanese and Italian.  

Education:

• University of the Pacific in Stockton, California
• Drew University in Madison, New Jersey
• UCLA
• CSUN

I have enjoyed several "careers" in my life, all of which have led me in the direction of teaching.  I studied International Relations and Inter-American Studies thus, I worked in International Trade for several years; I am a certified interpreter and I am a teacher.  Additionally, I was the director of the School of Business and Finance here at University High School for five years.

Teaching is, without queston, the most rewarding work I have ever done.  The following quote from Thomas Carlyle is a reflection of my feelings about teaching. 

A teacher's work is like "...a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green"