I have been teaching at the ELI since spring 2007, and I really enjoy my job.  But this is my second career.  Before coming to the ELI, I served as a diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service for over thirty years.  Here is a link to my official biography, prepared when I was the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia: 

 MTH Amb Bio.doc

In 2005, I retired from the Foreign Service and started my second career, as an English teacher.  First I had to get a Master's degree in Linguistics and an ESL Teacher Certificate, so I enrolled as a graduate student here at GMU.  While still in school, I taught ESL at Northern Virginia Community College in the summer of 2006. 

During my last semester as a student, I worked as a student teacher at the ELI, helping to teach Low Advanced Core.  My mentor teacher was Sarah Steadman!  I was very excited when I was hired by the ELI the very next semester, right after I got my degree.  What I love most about the ELI is that I can still meet so many people from other countries, all my wonderful students!

Besides teaching, the loves of my life are my husband Eino, daughter Karen and grandchildren Allison and James. 

After so many years living and working in foreign countries, it feels great to settle down here in Virginia!