"My name is Valerie, and I graduated with a BA in Environmental Studies from Middlebury College in May of 2020. I completed an MS in Geospatial Data Science and Environmental Justice at the University of Michigan in 2023.

I studied German for three years in high school and for three years in college, culminating in a semester-long study abroad experience in Potsdam, Germany in 2019. While there I studied Philosophy in German and adhered to a German-language pledge. I can now comfortably read books in German or converse with a native speaker, but I also certainly understand the difficulty of reaching that point. I will be a non-judgmental and empathetic German tutor, and I look forward to helping you become better at the language!

I have had a number of opportunities that allowed me to gain experience in teaching and education. As a naturalist intern at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, TN, I developed educational programs about the natural world for students and adults. I have worked as a camp counselor in Banner Elk, NC during multiple summers, and once again had the opportunity to develop environmental education programs there.

During the fall of 2020, I worked as an education coordinator for elementary-age students who were participating in virtual learning due to COVID-19. This entailed a lot of one-on-one work with students who struggled with the virtual format of learning, and I saw firsthand how difficult it has been for students to complete schoolwork during this pandemic. I found it to be very fulfilling and rewarding to help them overcome confusion or frustrations around their schoolwork, and am excited to be able to help more students through this platform. I also gained experience with tutoring/teaching as a math tutor in high school.

Feel free to contact me with questions or to schedule a lesson!" less...