Gavin Klein

A Bay Area native, I grew up in the Outer Sunset in San Francisco. After attending a small high school, I knew I wanted to continue learning in a setting where class sizes were small and knowing your professors was encouraged. So, I traded the fog of the city for the rain of the Pacific Northwest, where I studied at Willamette University. In my junior year, I studied abroad in Ecuador. As soon as the semester ended, what had been an exciting chance to see a small piece of South America turned into a drive to pursue a major in Spanish alongside my psychology degree. After returning to Oregon, I was eager for more opportunities for cultural exchange, and I was fortunate to mentor Japanese exchange students throughout my senior year.

At Willamette, my final psychology seminar focused on various high-stakes tests that psychologists employ. I chose to study tests that are used in schools. This topic furthered my interest education, particularly regarding where theory and practice meet. Since graduation, I have worked in a variety of educational settings. Before coming to AJ, I taught elementary school in the Bay Area. Young students sometimes ask, “Why am I doing this?” I believe this question has an important implication: learning should be meaningful. When possible, I strive to guide students to make connections that align with their interests or are relevant to them.

Within a classroom, I deeply enjoyed those moments where I could work individually with students. By developing skill-sets on a personal level, students grow in their confidence, in turn allowing for creativity, embracing challenges, and a growing comfort in taking educational risks. Before teaching in classrooms, I taught English 1-on-1 in Ecuador. In that setting, I was able to connect with students more deeply knowing each of their hopes and goals for developing their language skills. Seeing students uncover their potential is a privilege, and the 1-on-1 environment at AJ allows me to tap into a student’s individuality and make lessons personal and engaging.

In my spare time, I greatly enjoy being in the outdoors, and I love hearing about new destinations for camping or hiking. I also love cooking, reading, and all things music!