I have always had a natural desire to learn. My parents must have been sick of the word “why” when I was a kid, but they patiently taught me or guided me towards the resources I needed to fill my inquisitive mind. This, coupled with the fact that my mom was a teacher, probably meant that I was destined to be involved in education.

My love for learning led me to my career path: studying Spanish on my own in my twenties until I became bilingual, working as an instructional assistant in a Title I dual immersion program, going back to college at George Fox to get my degree in education, and becoming a full-time bilingual elementary school teacher. Over the course of my career I’ve worked with a wide range of learning styles, focusing especially on the students who required the most academic support and who were learning all of their core subjects in two languages. My favorite part of teaching was always working closely with families and customizing one-on-one instruction for specific students. 

This last year I relocated to California with my wife and two young boys to be closer to family. I was fortunate enough to find AJ Tutoring where I could continue my passion for education. Professional tutoring encompasses what I love most about education: personalized lessons based on the needs of each individual. I am grateful to be a part of fostering a true love for learning for each student that leads to their academic success.

When I’m not supporting students and families, I love to spend time with my own. I love being outside, playing sports, surfing, listening to music, and, of course, always learning new things!