Research Interests
Foreign language education
Academic Degrees
- Ph. D. in Education, Stanford University, 2005
- M.A. in Education, Stanford University, 2001
- B.A. in Applied Physics, Rice University, 1986
Short Bio
I grew up on the Gulf Coast of Texas and got my undergraduate degree in applied physics. After graduating, I went to Los Angeles, worked as a fax machine sales rep and then spent a very interesting year studying Chinese at Xi Bei University (西北大学) in China, leaving in June of 1989. I came to Japan in 1990 and taught English for 10 years to a wide variety of students in Ibaraki and Fukushima, from kindergartners to professional translators and interpreters. In 2000 I returned to the US and completed an MA and PhD in foreign language education at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. I taught graduate students in the English for Foreign Students program throughout my graduate programs and then took a staff position as the Academic Technology Specialist for the Language Center, working with the administration and the lecturers in all language programs. At Stanford, I also taught courses in the Linguistics Department, the Teacher Education Program and developed several courses for non-native professionals in Continuing Studies Program. My research interests include foreign language teaching methods, with a focus on technology.
