About MeMy name is Amy Altstatt, born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, currently residing in Nanping Fujian, China.
Language and art are my primary fascinations, because they involve problem solving, creativity and people. The past 2 years have brought my first 2 years of teaching in traditional classrooms both for short term programs and full year programs. My practicum was spent with a university program, and was followed by teaching a short term 4-week program at the same university just before leaving for China where I have taught high school students and middle school students for the last 11 months. For 8 years prior to my Master's in TESOL, I served in economically disadvantaged households and communities in the capacity of education in Language Arts and Reading. My undergraduate degree in Linguistics, from the University of Oklahoma powered my perspective on adapting to serving the needs of the individual and valuing vast differences, while my professional experience with high-needs schools and low-income programs gave a platform for practical application of those ideals. My Master's in TESOL, from the University of Southern California translated my passions, perspectives, and previous experience into classroom skills that provide a student-centered classroom environment based on, but not limited to, Communicative Language Teaching theories and practices. I now continue empowering my students toward their own goals while discovering new and progressive ways of helping them accomplish their life focuses through sharing my knowledge of English as a life-long learner. This website provides a snap shot of my journey through graduate school at the University of Southern California, offering reflections of my own teaching and ways that I have grown through my various experiences in the program, as well as my most recent classroom experiences. From textbook theories, to applied practice, it is my hope that this portfolio will provide an accurate and thorough description of my personality as a teacher and what I bring, not only to the classroom, but to my professional relationships and to the field of TESOL. |