Wall Street is Waiting

Hello Everyone! I started my teaching career as an adult EFL instructor in Valencia, Spain. After returning to the U.S. and settling in the D.C. metro area, I worked at several private language institutes before embarking on a career in the public school system. It was during my time as an elementary school teacher in Washington, D.C. that I realized my true calling was writing original teaching materials. So I left my spot in front of the chalkboard to work behind the scenes for a change, taking a position as a curriculum developer for a non-profit education company. I wrote teacher training materials, textbooks, and workbooks, all centered around phonics and beginning reading skills. I loved the work, but after several years, found that I wanted to dive into some new subject matter. I returned to college once again, stunned to find that everything had changed since I was a student. (I was skeptical of online courses, but they turned out to be fantastic!) After obtaining my accounting degree, everything fell into place. I synthesized my teaching abilities, writing skills, and financial knowledge to start the website www.wallstreetiswaiting.com, where I provide free resources on investing for beginners. I also wrote the award-winning book “Market Mojo: A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market.” Eager to reach a wider audience, I have now branched out into developing my own personal finance lessons that correspond to the National Standards for Financial Literacy.

Here are some of my guiding principles as a writer and educator: --Teachers need to create an environment that is conducive to learning. --Providing a context for the lesson, spending ample time introducing the concept,and providing small challenges that set students up for success is a great way to establish rapport and generate interest. --Build incrementally by teaching a skill, then allowing space for practice and refinement. --Utilize audio, video, collaborative teamwork, and other creative approaches that will resonate with students’ different learning styles. --And finally, realize that “teaching” is a nebulous concept. It CAN be a discrete skill, but it can also be the byproduct of engagement, guidance, patience, and encouragement.

My book "Market Mojo: A Beginner's Guide to the Stock Market" has won three book competitions: IAN (Independent Author Network) Winner, Business/Sales/Economic category; NIEA (National Indie Excellence Awards) Finalist, Business Motivational category; Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist, Non-fiction eBook category

Bachelor of Arts, English Literature 1992 Master of Arts, Teaching, 1994 Bachelor of Science, Accounting, 2013 CFEI designation (Certified Financial Education Instructor) from National Financial Educators Council

I have amassed a small collection of unusual musical instruments including a couple of African kalimbas, an Australian didgeridoo, a theremin, and a vintage accordion. I've made headway on all of them except the didgeridoo (look at some YouTube videos of them and you'll see why). I'm currently teaching myself to add and subtract on a Chinese abacus, with the goal of one day balancing my checkbook with one. I love listening to yacht rock, wearing elastic waistband pants, chugging strong coffee, and rescuing cats.