EXPERIENCE
In this section you will find more details about my teaching experiences. A more in-depth feature on my current position as a Classroom Music Teacher in the School District of Philadelphia can be found by clicking on the link below.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INSTRUCTION
I began working at the Temple University Community Music Scholars Program (CMSP) during the 2016-17 school year, located on the university's main campus. CMSP is a low-cost community music program that provides young Philadelphians with 30-minute private lessons and ensemble experiences on a weekly basis. In my 2 years at CMSP I taught a full roster of flute students in grades 4-12. I worked closely with local organizations such as the Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (PMAY) and Flute Pro Shop (Wilmington, DE) to find resources and materials for my students.
In the Summer of 2018 I worked as a High School Woodwinds Instructor with Play On, Philly at West Catholic High School. Responsibilities included ensemble coaching and teaching general woodwinds technique in a small group setting.
During the 2018-19 school year I taught at the Temple University Preparatory division located in its Center City building, providing individual flute lessons to both children and adults.
I currently teach an unaffiliated private studio of flute and piano students.
IMMIGRANT EDUCATION | NATIONALITIES SERVICE CENTER
June 2017 - December 2018
I served as an ESL Coordinator and Continuum of Care Intern at the Nationalities Service Center (NSC) in the Refugee Employment + Advancement Program (REAP) during my undergraduate studies at Temple University. As part of my role, I taught vocational ESL classes and coordinated training/scheduling for other teachers. The classes consisted of 10-20 adult immigrant students of varied backgrounds and proficiencies, each with complex needs and histories. I gained invaluable knowledge working with refugee, immigrant, and EL populations, as well as social work and administrative experience.
One of my final tasks with the organization was to develop and implement an 8-week ESL curriculum, complete with lessons and activities for the 30 hours of class per week. The curriculum is designed to be used in cycles in order to help newly-arrived refugees achieve self-sufficiency post-resettlement.
Outside of the classroom, I worked with refugee community leaders and the City of Philadelphia to organize a multinational Refugee Team for the city's 2017 "Philadelphia International Unity Cup" tournament. With a goal of uniting young immigrants through a common love of soccer, the team successfully played 3 games in the competition. I also worked with local organizations, businesses, and government offices to coordinate resources and plan off-site experiences designed to foster cross-cultural connections. Photographs from some of these experiences can be found below, alongside a video feature on my class and NSC's community garden.
Philadelphia Magic Gardens
My class received a Visionary Grant from the organization to visit and learn about the garden's artwork.
2017 PHL International Unity Cup
I helped organize the multinational Refugee Team that competed in Philadelphia's 2017 International Unity Cup. Players were all recently-arrived refugees from countries such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Free Library Edible Alphabet
I facilitated a collaborative experience between Blank Rome Law Firm, PECO associates and my class that helped the students prepare for job interviews. Afterwards the combined group participated in the Edible Alphabet program at the Free Library of Philadelphia - an experience designed to increase adult literacy through cooking.
REAP ESL Class
My REAP ESL class was invited to hold its sessions in the city's municipal services building as part of a partnership between NSC, the City of Philadelphia, and Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture.