Getting Started

I come from a long line of teachers and while I very much enjoyed the classroom atmosphere, I wasn’t sure if teaching was for me or even if it was something I’d be good at. I spent my college years and the years that followed exploring the world and developing personal interests that always kept me on the cusp of education but never took me directly into a teaching position. In fact, nearly all of my post-college work experience had me working with children or facilitating knowledge.

I found through my work experience that I am very efficient at managerial work and could complete tasks, paperwork, and reports with ease and speed.  I also found that I thrive in front of a large body of people (this was quite surprising!) and am able to draw in their attention and get them to participate and feel contacted.  A skill set that is very useful in teaching.  Throughout my life I’ve always been complimented on my ability to work with children and many friends and colleagues saw me pursuing a position where this skill set would shine. The thought of becoming an elementary school teacher was wildly entertaining but I was a bit standoffish as I’d never taken any education courses in college. Upon the suggestion of a friend (who was supposed to come with me, but left me to take on kimchi all alone) I moved to South Korea were I would be able to gain elementary education experience without having to be a certified educator. This would allow me the opportunity to see if teaching was in fact right for me.

For the past four years I have been teaching elementary English to grades 1-6 in Busan, South Korea. Over this time I have realized that for the first time in a long time, I am truly passionate about what I am doing and could not see myself doing anything else. My passion for my job really shines within my classroom. A loud voice, animated personality, and a wealth of stories help to keep the students engaged throughout my lessons. My extensive travels around the world have taught me the valuable skill of patience which, of course, is one of the most important traits needed when working with children.

While I have gained a lot of valuable experience teaching in Korea there is still much for me to learn and certifications that need acquired in order to become a real, licensed teacher - capable of working in schools back home.  

So I set out on the Internet, reading over endless online certification course that would see my licensed, but also leave me broke.  Or worse yet take several years to complete and still leave me broke.  None of these were options that I wanted.

Then by some turn of the Internet I found Teach-Now.  A short bit of leg-work and a few weeks later I was starting my virtual classes online and beginning the course to certification!