Lanai, 교육학전공하시고 미국에서 경험많으신 선생님

My name is Lanai Deats (라나이 디츠). I am a US citizen and 54 years of age. I  recently graduated as a Magna cum laude honors student, Dean’s List honoree and scholarship winner from the University of North Dakota (UND). I earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education, minor in Philosophy and an English Language Learner (ELL) endorsement. During my time at UND I took also part in study abroad programs four times: Hanyang University HISS 2014 & 2015, Seoul National University ISI 2016, and University of Minnesota Morris Global Student Teaching SEK El Castillo, Madrid, Spain 2016.

Coming to Korea to teach EFL has been a goal of mine for the last five years. Korea has what I am looking for: a highly effective education system, sharp focus on economic develop, advanced leadership in science, technology, and engineering, an incredible depth of the arts and entertainment, glorious landscapes and very importantly, a strong connection to the rich cultural heritage of its past. I have already taught EFL in the US and in Spain and have experienced what it is like to teach in school systems that are ineffective and where teachers are disrespected. Korea’s reputation for setting high expectations for education and the respect that people have for educators, are the elements that first drew my attention to it. After attending two different Korean universities the last few summers, I have gained even more respect for the Korean educational system and what it has to offer. Because teaching EFL is my focus as an English educator, I want to be in an educational system that is highly effective, students have a good level of self-discipline, and parents see education as an important asset in their children’s lives.

My most recent teaching experience was being a licensed substitute teacher for Grand Forks Public Schools in Grand Forks, ND from Dec. 2016-May 2017. I was responsible for teaching students of all skill levels, aged preschool to12th grade, based on the regular teacher’s lesson plans. Instruction covered a wide variety of subject areas including but not limited to, English Language, English as a Second Language, and Special Education. Job assignments ranged from half-day to several days in length and took place in many different schools throughout the school district.

Last fall I completed my pre-service teaching at a private school, SEK El Castillo, in Madrid, Spain. My position was as a TEFL instructor in an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). I was responsible for developing and teaching my own lesson plans and choice of educational materials. Taught all aspects of English language: reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking. Beyond my main comprehensive English classes, I also taught additional classes that were focused on listening and speaking skills only. Additional school duties included being a school bus supervisor on daily bus routes to/from school and substitute teaching during my prep hour as needed. 

Additional teaching experiences include, being a private English tutor at the University of North Dakota from 2013-2016. I tutored university students one on one in English language in order to improve their skills. Areas of focus varied per student based on their individual needs. These included conversational speaking, formal speaking, professional interview preparation, essay writing, revision, editing, and more. Fall of 2015 I was a Certified Paraprofessional Educator, Grand Forks Public Schools, a position in which I was assigned to one particular student with special needs, but also assisted other students in the classroom with all academic subjects based on educational objectives. Prior to this I was the owner and operator of Deats Family Daycare, both in California and North Dakota from 1994-2005. As a licensed childcare provider, I established and operated a home childcare facility according to national accreditation standards. During this time I continuously participated in training sessions covering topics pertaining to childcare/education. The children cared for were aged infant to 10 years old. I provided a wide variety of age appropriate educational activities that included language, math, science, history as well as art and music. 

During my teaching experiences, I found that one of my greatest strengths as a teacher is being able to connect with my students by showing them that I really care about them as people. By listening to what they have to say, respecting their opinions, asking for their input, and providing them with amble opportunities to make choices regarding educational activities, my students knew that I respected and cared about them. In return I gained the respect of my students. This mutual respect is what allows me to have a positive student-centered classroom environment.

The main goal of English education is for students to demonstrate competency in their knowledge and application of the rules of the English language while reading, writing, listening, and speaking, in order to communicate effectively. For an English teacher, the focus is on providing students with every possible opportunity to develop their twenty-first century skills and put them into practice. 
These educational goals are the foundation of my teaching. As a professional educator it is my duty to ensure these goals are met for all students. I can achieve this by being an open-minded and enthusiastic teacher who clearly states expectations and desired outcomes, develops effective student-centered lessons that are interactive and simulating, as well as provides a safe and nurturing learning environment that is well organized allows students to be fully engaged in the learning process. 

I am a friendly and social person and a passionate teacher that truly enjoys helping my be successful not only as students, but as people and citizens of a global society. The enthusiasm I have for learning, is brought into the classroom and shared with my students. When they can see how excited I am about learning new things and all the opportunities that await them, they get excited as well. In additional I am not afraid to try new things and enjoy taking on new challenges. I work well as a team member to teamwork through open communication and collaboration, yet can fully succeed working independently. 

I graduated December 2016 as a Magna cum laude honors student, Dean’s List honoree and scholarship winner from the University of North Dakota (UND). I earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education, minor in Philosophy and an English Language Learner (ELL) endorsement. During my time at UND I took also part in study abroad programs four times: Hanyang University HISS 2014 & 2015, Seoul National University ISI 2016, and University of Minnesota Morris Global Student Teaching SEK El Castillo, Madrid, Spain 2016.

My most recent teaching experience was being a licensed substitute teacher for Grand Forks Public Schools in Grand Forks, ND from Dec. 2016-May 2017. I was responsible for teaching students of all skill levels, aged preschool to12th grade, based on the regular teacher’s lesson plans. Instruction covered a wide variety of subject areas including but not limited to, English Language, English as a Second Language, and Special Education. Job assignments ranged from half-day to several days in length and took place in many different schools throughout the school district.

Last fall I completed my pre-service teaching at a private school, SEK El Castillo, in Madrid, Spain. My position was as a TEFL instructor in an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). I was responsible for developing and teaching my own lesson plans and choice of educational materials. Taught all aspects of English language: reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking. Beyond my main comprehensive English classes, I also taught additional classes that were focused on listening and speaking skills only. Additional school duties included being a school bus supervisor on daily bus routes to/from school and substitute teaching during my prep hour as needed. 

Additional teaching experiences include, being a private English tutor at the University of North Dakota from 2013-2016. I tutored university students one on one in English language in order to improve their skills. Areas of focus varied per student based on their individual needs. These included conversational speaking, formal speaking, professional interview preparation, essay writing, revision, editing, and more. Fall of 2015 I was a Certified Paraprofessional Educator, Grand Forks Public Schools, a position in which I was assigned to one particular student with special needs, but also assisted other students in the classroom with all academic subjects based on educational objectives. Prior to this I was the owner and operator of Deats Family Daycare, both in California and North Dakota from 1994-2005. As a licensed childcare provider, I established and operated a home childcare facility according to national accreditation standards. During this time I continuously participated in training sessions covering topics pertaining to childcare/education. The children cared for were aged infant to 10 years old. I provided a wide variety of age appropriate educational activities that included language, math, science, history as well as art and music.