PrepNow Tutor - Francesca D.
With a certificate in TESOL, Francesca has worked with adults and children in topics from Italian and English to TESOL and ESL. Her educational background is diverse; Francesca started with an AA in psychology from Arapahoe Community College and then double majored in Linguistics and Italian at the University of Colorado Boulder. Additionally, her linguistics BA incorporated TESOL certification, allowing her to work with students from various backgrounds.
Francesca always felt destined to teach. "My mom was a preschool teacher, and even when I was a kid, I always loved coming into her classroom to help her out," she explains. She began teaching during her first year of college while taking TESOL courses (as she had to complete 120 hours to get certified). "I have completed many more hours since then because it is something that I truly have a passion for," she offers.
Francesca has a diverse array of teaching experiences, which include teaching Russian and Vietnamese students conversational and ESL English; teaching ESL to adult employees 18 and up; assistant teaching at the International English Center; teaching English to Italian children aged 6-12 as a camp director for a language learning company; and, lastly, tutoring within Univeristy of Colorado's Italian Department for two years.
"I think one of my proudest teaching moments was when, after weeks of preparation, one of my ESL adult students came back with the news that she had secured a promotion," Francesca shares. "Seeing how happy and proud she was of herself was such a rewarding experience."
"My teaching and tutoring goal is to act as a guide to specific student needs," says Francesca. "I believe each child is unique and it is important to structure my tutoring style to what each student actually needs." Francesca likes to incorporate short and long-term goals for her students' learning journies; that way, they acquire both academic and personal skills, particularly confidence. "A huge part of my teaching philosophy is to not override the student's identity; their thoughts and opinions on matters are relevant and assist in learning, as they are connecting the subjects to their real lives," she says. She makes a point to value her students' ideas, as collaborative, supportive environments are more conducive to success.
In high school, Francesca sang in the choir and every musical theatre production. She played soccer, participated in Mock Trial, and belonged to the National Honor Society and National English Honor Society. Her love of music continued in college. "I especially loved jazz choir and scat singing!"
She loves attending concerts and has recently gotten into mixing music. An avid nature lover, her "favorite places to be would be on the beach or in a forest."
Francesca is half-Italian and she grew up regularly visiting family across the pond. She's honored to use her language skills to help others!
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