What inspired you to work for Instituto Estelar Bilingue?
I chose to work for Instituto Estelar for several reasons. First of all, I had worked with the Founding Director, Bethany Kirk, in the past so I knew that we shared similar ideas when it came to the methodology of teaching EFL. Secondly, I was ready for professional growth in the field and becoming a director allowed me to fulfill this. Lastly, I had lived in Costa Rica before, so I knew it would be a great place to move with my family.
When I'm not working, my family and I are out exploring Costa Rica
Describe a typical day at work.
A typical work day for me depends on the day. I am in charge of running the English program here at the school, so I am involved in most aspects of the program, such as teacher training, making the schedule, promoting the program, hiring new teachers, etc.
Why do you do what you do?
I work in the field of ESL because I love working with people and because I love language learning. Language learning has always intrigued me. It is different than learning math, history, or science. It is a skill that must be refined through practice. Teaching ESL allows the teacher to be creative in their pedagogical approach. Working with people and seeing them progress is what drives me and brings me happiness.
Our wonderful English teachers
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is teacher training. I spent close to 12 years teaching ESL, in addition to earning a master's degree in the field. It is very rewarding passing down what I have learned over the years to other teachers who are just starting their careers. I remember what it was like being a new teacher and I also remember the teachers who mentored me at the beginning of my career. My hope is that I can have an impact on them as they start their careers in TESOL.
What makes Instituto Estelar special?
Several things set us apart from other schools. Our classes are extremely effective. We have certified native-speaking teachers who deliver dynamic classes and our school is also very community-oriented.
We offer scholarships, we volunteer our services within the local community, and we strive to give back as much as we can. You feel like you are part of a family when you step into our doors; I think this is what makes us special.
Every once in awhile I get to teach a class
What makes Instituto Estelar easy to market to potential participants?
We offer a style of language learning that has been proven to be effective. Anyone that takes an English or Spanish class at our school will feel as if they have improved their language skills.
What is Instituto Estelar's mission and how do you continue to work towards it?
We are dedicated to treating each person as if they were our family and making them feel welcome and safe at our Institute. We promote intercultural relations and language mastery among our students, both foreigners and locals. We strive to live up to our name—stellar, extraordinary, the best!—and encourage our students to do the same by becoming bilingual, multicultural, and service-oriented in our community.
We keep this mission in mind in everything we do, from the classes that we teach to the way that we treat our customers.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
It is important to see how other people live. It makes you appreciate what you have, but it also makes you realize that there are certain things in your life that you don't need. You can learn a lot about yourself from traveling abroad. I would recommend that everyone should do it at least once in their life.
We offer a free hour of conversation club every week for our English students
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Learning a new language opens up a world of opportunities. It gives you the ability to converse with people who come from a different walk of life than your own. It allows you to see the world through their eyes, expanding your horizons and broadening your world-view.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Do it! You will never regret doing it, you will only regret not doing it. Everyone needs to travel. There is so much out there to see and do and life is too short to stay in the same place your whole life.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel involves more than just being a tourist in another country. Of course, sightseeing is an important component of traveling, but I think to truly have meaningful travel, you need to immerse yourself in the culture by meeting locals and learning about the way they live their lives.
