Background Information

I graduated with distinction from New York University, with a major in political science and a minor in economics. Through the years I have held a number of positions in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. I worked as a Claims Representative for the Social Security Administration, an Administrative Assistant in the Health Sciences Department (and Assistant to the Treasurer) of the Rockefeller Foundation, and from there I gravitated to Wall Street where first I was an options trader, then options strategist, and finally a Vice President and portfolio manager for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.

Roughly ten years ago I began volunteering as an English tutor at The International Center, then located on 23rd street near 6th Avenue. It seems I had a knack for it; I loved tutoring English, and my students loved me (figuratively speaking). Eventually I started my own private practice. My clients come from all over the world: Europe, Asia, South America, you name it (though the majority are from China, Japan, and South Korea). Their backgrounds are varied, including students, housewives, businessmen and women, doctors and diplomats to name a few. The one thing they have in common is a desire to improve their English for both personal and professional reasons.

I put a heavy emphasis on correct pronunciation. If you do not pronounce words correctly you will not be understood or, worse yet, you'll be misunderstood. Also, when you mispronounce words you put a strain on your listener which is frustrating at best and annoying at worst. We will do many pronunciation drills. You've been warned!