Language Lessons With Katie
About
I love being a teacher! I left my first day of kindergarten and decided that's what I wanted to be when I grew up, and that's exactly what I did.
I have my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Spanish Education from UW - River Falls. My Master's is in Classroom Instruction, and along with that I earned my Reading Instruction Certificate. While in Spain, I also became certified in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).
I taught for 15 years in the West St. Paul school district before moving to Spain in 2018. I enjoy helping children and adults pursue their dreams and I have the skills, knowledge, experience and passion to do it!
I enjoy watching the progress and growth. When one is learning a language, it can feel frustrating and embarrassing as there are many mistakes made along the way. That's ok! My goal with you is to show you how your mistakes make you a better learner, and help build your confidence at the same time as your skills. I will help you make realistic expectations with your language goals and ensure that they are met. It is a team effort!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I first start by asking a student their goals and talk about any past experiences in learning the language, preferably in Spanish. This will help me to quickly assess their level so that I can tailor lessons to meet their needs.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education. I taught a variety of subjects and grades while working in the West St. Paul school district for 15 years, and 13 of those years I taught Spanish. I have spent my last 4 years teaching English in Spain and immersing myself in the language here.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $25/hour for half an hour lessons or $40/hour for hour long lessons.
How did you get started teaching?
I was hired by the West St. Paul school district after student teaching there in 2003. I worked in one of the elementary schools and both of the middle schools throughout my career in Minnesota.
What types of students have you worked with?
Most students I have worked with while teaching Spanish have been elementary-aged through high school. In the last four years of teaching English as a foreign language, I have added many adult students. I work best with beginner to intermediate levels.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
While this actually happened pre-pandemic, I had former students (I had them in 8th grade) find me on Facebook and send me a message. They had heard I had moved to Spain. They were going to be in Barcelona the beginning of March of 2020 for their University spring break. I also happened to have plans of being there that weekend. I met them at the airport, helped them check into their hostel, went out to dinner and the next day we met again for some sightseeing before I headed back to my city. It was so lovely to catch up and also showed me the impact I had had on them five years prior to that weekend.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
My advice would be to think about what your goals are before meeting with your teacher. Think about your commitment level and be clear. Be ready to adjust your goals depending on the time you have available to work on your language skills.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
How much time am I willing to put in?
What are my expectations?
What are your methods?
What is your accent?
How do you handle mistakes?