Experience

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  Sarnath International Nyingma Institute

  • Director of the English for Dharma Purposes Program

    • Sep 2021 - Present

    Designing, creating, and implementing a specialized curriculum for Buddhist monastics, which includes the authoring of a three-part textbook series currently being piloted in class. Designing and administering assessment based on the target language and skills of the curriculum. This role also includes teacher recruitment, teacher training, scheduling, teacher coordination, and ongoing teacher support. Other duties include grant writing, grant reporting, financial management, and meeting with experts in related fields to coordinate collaborations, presentations, workshops, and more.

  • English Second Language Teacher

    • Jan 2018 - Present

    Teaching Buddhist monastics in a residential English program. Students are engaged through a combination of classroom activities, independent study, pilgrimages, and day-to-day life and interactions with English-speaking teachers and staff. The program supports Dharma teachers in their English language development through the use of Buddhist texts and talks, with the use of the developing English for Dharma Purposes curriculum.Beginning in the 2020, the program moved to a hybrid model and incorporated virtual learning through online learning platforms including Zoom and Google Classroom.

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  RTC English

  • Kathmandu, Nepal

  • ESL Teacher

    • Jun 2017 - Aug 2017
    • Kathmandu, Nepal

    Taught advanced IELTS speaking prep courses, focussing on improving students’ fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation with the aim of students achieving a Band 7 score. Class exercises included interviews, discussions, presentations, and debates with individualized feedback for all students. Also taught general English classes at the Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, and Intermediate levels using the New English File textbooks and curriculum, which is delivered through a combination of listening, reading, writing, and speaking practice to achieve set language targets for practical communication.

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  Active English School

  • Shiojiri, Nagano

  • ESL Teacher

    • Apr 2016 - Mar 2017
    • Shiojiri, Nagano

    Taught conversational English at a private English school in Japan. Worked with established curriculums and textbooks for all ages that focused on communicative English with specific language targets based on students’ levels. Taught at beginner, elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels. Created lesson plans for individual students and classes that catered to their specific learning needs. Used a combination of textbooks, flashcards, games, debates, free conversation and more in order to help students speak and express themselves. Textbooks used included Click on Phonics, SuperKids, Speech Adventures, Time Zones, Speech Navigator, and New Headway.

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  Tibet Charity

  • Mcleodganj, Dharamshala, India

  • ESL Teacher

    • Aug 2015 - Dec 2015
    • Mcleodganj, Dharamshala, India

    Taught English to adult Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate level students using the New English File textbooks, which include a comprehensive curriculum covering grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading, writing, and speaking to achieve communication targets for students’ level. Lessons were delivered through a combination of writing, listening, pair and group work, and games. Taught 20 hours of group classes and 5 hours of private classes per week. The majority of the students were Tibetan refugees who had never before been in a formal school setting, and the school itself operates without much technology or many resources to assist in learning. Challenges included teaching learning and study skills, and teaching the textbook material in a culturally sensitive and relatable way.

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  Temple and Temple Tours

  • Toronto, Canada Area

  • Activities Director/Tour Guide

    • Mar 2011 - Jan 2014
    • Toronto, Canada Area

    Lead educational overnight tours to multiple Canadian and international destinations including New York City, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, and Chicago. Organized the group to ensure the schedule was being followed and that the group was on time to all events, reservations, and bookings. Lead walking tours and delivered educational information about the city to the group at frequent intervals. Worked in tandem with fellow colleagues for multi-bus groups as the group leader or member of the team, ensuring that all groups were organized and coordinated on all schedule items. Handled all payments to vendors on behalf of the group and accepted cash payments from clients when applicable. Engaged with clients to ensure all their needs, questions, and concerns were being addressed and resolved whenever possible. Dealt with high-stress and time-sensitive situations such as international border crossings with non-Canadian citizens with different visa and travel requirements. Worked with a multitude of different types of groups, ranging from Canadian elementary and high school students to ESL students from a variety of international backgrounds.