Hello! My name is Taylor Smith. I am an ESL and ELA instructor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I have been teaching for almost 10 years, and I have experience working with students of all ages and backgrounds. I’ve taught in many different environments, as well: in the university classroom, online, one-on-one, and in elementary school classrooms in China. I love to play music (I sometimes incorporate music in my lessons), and I also love to write poetry and read books about science. I believe it is my goal as a teacher to help students improve their language and critical thinking skills by helping them become proactive learners. But I also believe it is important to help students find their voice, either by building up their confidence in their language arts skills, or by helping them express themselves creatively through music or writing. I lived in Italy for one year and experienced the process of learning a new language, and I’ve also spent a number of years reading and thinking critically about English literature; it all takes a lot of practice and discipline, but it doesn’t have to be all work. Reading and writing—languages in general—it’s all easier to learn when we are able to find a personal connection, one that drives us to keep exploring, to keep learning, and to continue looking for new ways to communicate. I hope to create such an environment—one that is both structured and entertaining.