AA: Julia, you've been an passionate educator for your entire adult life, teaching students of all ages and backgrounds, and you've recently returned home to the U.S. from teaching abroad in Europe. You graduated from the University of Maryland with an BA in English and French, and a Masters of Education, and then went on further to obtain your second Masters of Arts in English Language, Literature, and Civilization from the University of Toulon in La Garde, France. You've taught, mentored and counseled students, designed curriculum, and even found time to write and edit professionally. You joined us here at Academic Ascent as an educator this past fall (2024), and we are so excited and honored to feature such an amazing educator on our team. Welcome!

Let's start out with telling us a little bit about your philosophy on teaching. What is your take on teaching in today's world, and how do you use it to reach and engage students today?

 JM: I believe strongly in each person’s right to lead a fulfilling life of authenticity, lifelong learning, and self-actualization. Strategies that work with a learner’s strengths empower them to defuse frustration, improve their quality of life, and reach goals. Tailored strategies and empathetic learning support can help learners flourish both in terms of achievement and personal wellbeing. I also believe that society as a whole benefits from those who are passionate about learning and who celebrate their individuality.

In addition to coaching students to apply personalized learning techniques, I love tutoring and teaching language, literacy, and research. Language and literacy skills enrich people’s ability to understand themselves and communicate with the world in a meaningful way. Research skills allow people to honor their natural curiosity and to become a part of academic conversations that have spanned centuries. On a more personal note, I love getting to know each student’s unique perspective and am continually learning from my students.

Learning is not one-size-fits-all, and even when excellent teachers give their all to provide equitable and accessible instruction, the traditional classroom setting does not always meet every student’s needs. I’m fascinated by the science of how people learn and by the diversity of ways people think and experience the world, and I’m passionate about using equitable teaching approaches, making sure all students have their needs met in ways that work for them.

AA: Yes! Empowering learners is so important and really is at the heart of everything we do. Julia, I know we gave an exhaustive background introduction already, but we're putting you on the spot anyhow. What sets you apart from other tutors, coaches and educators?

JM: My extensive background in teaching advanced reading and writing skills, my research experience, and fluent French skills set me apart. I was also a camp counselor for seven years, and I value bringing a little bit of goofiness and fun to my tutoring and coaching. Additionally, my experience teaching English language arts and English as an additional language enriches my instruction, as I bring both literary and linguistic perspectives to literacy instruction. My education master's thesis focused on intrinsic student motivation to read, so I love using research-backed principles to motivate students. Finally, I also have experience teaching and tutoring students of all ages, primarily secondary and undergraduate students.

Kissing the Witch by Emma Donoghue, and Kindred by Octavia Butler.

I also love The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

While You Were Sleeping

Finding Nemo

Charade

Clueless

These might be old references... but I love

Ms. Lauryn Hill

Britney Spears

Destiny's Child

The Dave Brubeck Quartet

I love thrift shopping! I also enjoy improvising new allergy-friendly recipes, doing arts and crafts (particularly crafts involving mod podge), wandering around cities I’ve never been to before, and reading time travel fiction. My literature master’s thesis focused on modern retellings of fairy tales, so I know a lot about the history, cultural significance, psychology, and artistry of fairy tales.