Wonderful class! Wonderful teacher! Ethan looks forward to every class. Carter is very detailed in class and has a lot of experience in teaching. Love you Carter! Thank you!
- Parent of 5-year-old, Ethan
About Carter
Based in Manhattan in New York City, and originally from Alabama (yes, you'll hear a bit of an accent), I fell in love with teaching the first day I stepped foot into an elementary classroom to do my student teaching. I didn't expect to love teaching young children. I thought I would be a high school teacher, but the little ones hooked me. I love children, and there is something so special about being a part of molding and shaping who they are and what they will become.
A bit about my background... I had been teaching in the classroom for 13 years when my 11-year-old son's acting career took off. That was in 2008. He booked the role of Kurt von Trapp in The Sound of Music for a Broadway tour of Asia. Suddenly, I found myself out of the classroom, and traveling across China with my son. I had an agreement with my principal that my job would be there when I got back, but my son's career had other plans! He kept booking shows and Broadway national tours, so I kept traveling with him. Realizing that his career was not slowing down, and going back to the classroom wouldn't be an option for a while, I started a company along with another stage parent. It was intended to be a side job while we traveled with our kids, but it took off turned into a full-time business. My company, www.stagedoordesigns.com was built on flexibility, and it is still going strong today.
A bit about my background... I had been teaching in the classroom for 13 years when my 11-year-old son's acting career took off. That was in 2008. He booked the role of Kurt von Trapp in The Sound of Music for a Broadway tour of Asia. Suddenly, I found myself out of the classroom, and traveling across China with my son. I had an agreement with my principal that my job would be there when I got back, but my son's career had other plans! He kept booking shows and Broadway national tours, so I kept traveling with him. Realizing that his career was not slowing down, and going back to the classroom wouldn't be an option for a while, I started a company along with another stage parent. It was intended to be a side job while we traveled with our kids, but it took off turned into a full-time business. My company, www.stagedoordesigns.com was built on flexibility, and it is still going strong today.
Over the past few years, I began to miss teaching, so I decided to get TEFL certification to teach English as a Foreign Language. I began teaching students in China online in January of 2020. At the time, all of my students were so excited for the Chinese New Year celebration that was about to begin, but students began to tell me that all of their plans were being cancelled because of a virus that was hitting their country. Instead taking what was akin to our summer break, they found themselves on lockdown - sad and scared. It was heartbreaking to watch. Of course, it wasn't long before the virus made its way here and suddenly, I was the one on lockdown, and they were showing their concerns for me. Parents started mailing me masks from China because they heard that America had a mask shortage which was unimaginable to them. I have continued teaching Chinese students since.
In 2020, I have taught over 1000 online classes to over 200 Chinese students. Suddenly, I became an expert at teaching virtually. I realized that it was a strange combination of my two worlds - education and show business. To teach online effectively, you have to have the right equipment, and you have to know how to engage a student on the other side of the screen. Basically, it's a combination of education, theatre, and television production. Thankfully, I have a background in all three! It gave me great preparation for what was about to come next...
Fast-forward to August, 2020. One day, I got a message from a friend of mine who is a physician in New York City. She told me that a lot of parents were very concerned about their children falling behind and that she remembered that I used to be a teacher. She asked if I might be available to help tutor or teach children in the New York area. Honestly, the thought had not crossed my mind, but told her sure, I'd at least consider it. Parents began to reach out to me, and I began to not only teach students in China, but ones here in New York as well. I created a system for teaching reading, math, and other subjects, that engages children. I realized quickly that it was crucial to adapt my classes to each child, and his or her interests. If the child loves sports, then we do sports themed classes. If they love Pokémon, then that's the theme. I can theme a class to anything! I used the multiple pieces of software, hardware, and techniques I developed for teaching Chinese students, and converted them for American students. It turns out that the system works great!
I believe in meeting a child where they are. Each child's needs are different. I will figure out what your child needs educationally, and come up with classes that help them move forward so they catch up and be ready when life goes back to normal. If your child is falling behind because of COVID-19, I am here to help!
In 2020, I have taught over 1000 online classes to over 200 Chinese students. Suddenly, I became an expert at teaching virtually. I realized that it was a strange combination of my two worlds - education and show business. To teach online effectively, you have to have the right equipment, and you have to know how to engage a student on the other side of the screen. Basically, it's a combination of education, theatre, and television production. Thankfully, I have a background in all three! It gave me great preparation for what was about to come next...
Fast-forward to August, 2020. One day, I got a message from a friend of mine who is a physician in New York City. She told me that a lot of parents were very concerned about their children falling behind and that she remembered that I used to be a teacher. She asked if I might be available to help tutor or teach children in the New York area. Honestly, the thought had not crossed my mind, but told her sure, I'd at least consider it. Parents began to reach out to me, and I began to not only teach students in China, but ones here in New York as well. I created a system for teaching reading, math, and other subjects, that engages children. I realized quickly that it was crucial to adapt my classes to each child, and his or her interests. If the child loves sports, then we do sports themed classes. If they love Pokémon, then that's the theme. I can theme a class to anything! I used the multiple pieces of software, hardware, and techniques I developed for teaching Chinese students, and converted them for American students. It turns out that the system works great!
I believe in meeting a child where they are. Each child's needs are different. I will figure out what your child needs educationally, and come up with classes that help them move forward so they catch up and be ready when life goes back to normal. If your child is falling behind because of COVID-19, I am here to help!
Degrees & Experience
Online and virtual classroom expertise with a focus on working with younger children (Ages 5 to 8)
Masters of Education, Gifted & Talented Education, University of South Alabama
Masters of Education, Music Education, University of Montevallo
Bachelor's of Music, Vocal Performance, University of Montevallo
13 years teaching in the classroom
Taught over 1,000 online English and Reading classes in 2020
Member, National Tutoring Association
Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification, International TEFL Academy
Expertise in using technology to create a fun and interactive virtual classes that kids love!
Business owner working in the Broadway, Film, and Television industry for over 10 years - www.stagedoordesigns.com
Online and virtual classroom expertise with a focus on working with younger children (Ages 5 to 8)
Masters of Education, Gifted & Talented Education, University of South Alabama
Masters of Education, Music Education, University of Montevallo
Bachelor's of Music, Vocal Performance, University of Montevallo
13 years teaching in the classroom
Taught over 1,000 online English and Reading classes in 2020
Member, National Tutoring Association
Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification, International TEFL Academy
Expertise in using technology to create a fun and interactive virtual classes that kids love!
Business owner working in the Broadway, Film, and Television industry for over 10 years - www.stagedoordesigns.com