My name is Danielle Dorsey. I hold a TESL (teaching English as a second language) Certificate, a linguistics studies certificate, and a Bachelor's degree in French from the University of Akron, Akron, OH. My love of languages, culture, and helping others have led me to my realization that I love to teach.
“The object of teaching a child is to enable him to get along without a teacher.”
Elbert Hubbard
At the end of my last semester as an undergraduate of French at The University of Akron in Akron, OH, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to complete an extremely rewarding internship. Miriame, a teenager from the Ivory Coast in West Africa joined her mother in Akron, Ohio in February 2014. Her mother enrolled her at Middlebury Preparatory Academy at end of March 2014, a charter school in Akron. While searching for help for Miriame, who spoke only her native language of Mandingo, as well as a good amount of French, the principal at Middlebury had the great idea of contacting The University of Akron's French section of the Modern Language Department. She was searching for someone who could communicate with and teach Miriame content and English. One of my professors and chair of the French Department, Maria Adamowiscz-Hariasz, recommended me to the principal of Middlebury. I was highly qualified to work with Miriame because not only was I just finishing my degree in French, I also hold a TESL certificate... a perfect match for their student.
I began working with Miriame at Middlebury Academy in late March 2014, until June 3rd, 2014. While challenging, this rewarding internship provided me with lessons that I would never give back. I was able to basically immerse myself into a situation where I was required to speak mostly French for almost 6 hours per day, 3-5 days per week, for several months. This allowed me to ameliorate my French even more. I was able to learn about a culture that I had known very little about prior. I learned very tediously how to practice patience, understanding, and discipline. My teaching skills improved exceptionally, and for all of this I am incredibly grateful. I'd like to think i made a difference in Miriame's life, as she has in mine. I met some great people and made friends along the way. Everything happens for a reason.
I began working with Miriame at Middlebury Academy in late March 2014, until June 3rd, 2014. While challenging, this rewarding internship provided me with lessons that I would never give back. I was able to basically immerse myself into a situation where I was required to speak mostly French for almost 6 hours per day, 3-5 days per week, for several months. This allowed me to ameliorate my French even more. I was able to learn about a culture that I had known very little about prior. I learned very tediously how to practice patience, understanding, and discipline. My teaching skills improved exceptionally, and for all of this I am incredibly grateful. I'd like to think i made a difference in Miriame's life, as she has in mine. I met some great people and made friends along the way. Everything happens for a reason.