Shelly Baseri 

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Born and raised in Los Angeles, I grew up amid the diversity that is so characteristic of this city. As the second child of North African immigrants, I knew the experience of struggling to communicate with others. After all, French was the only language I spoke until I started attending kindergarten at the age of four. Like myself, most of the people with whom I grew up were first –generation Americans; many were immigrants themselves, and my curiosity always led me to these classmates specifically, I wanted to know about their culture, their language, and the circumstances that had brought them to America.

 

As I matured, my curiosity only intensified, and, having always to be an educator, I felt that I would combine two of my greatest interests-languages and education-and form a career out of them. It was then, while I was studying at the University of California that

I chose to major in English Language and Literature and minor in the Teaching Profession. After I obtained my B.A. in 2006, I enrolled in the MS TESOL program at USC, from which I will graduate in May, 2008.

 

As a current ESL instructor within the Los Angeles Community College District, I have the opportunity to interact with those from all parts of the world. This is one of the most rewarding experiences that I have had so far. More than a profession, it is a way of life that allows me to give to others the opportunity to learn and thrive in a new country.