Ninet Aghasatourian

What is your favorite memory or CLASS CPP experience?

My favorite experience was going to teach in China in 2014, then going back as a team leader in 2016. The program was spearheaded by Dr. Karen Russikoff and Dr. Liliane Fucaloro. Another favorite experience is becoming a TA in my second year of the graduate program. I couldn't believe that I was actually teaching a real, college English class! But thanks to my professors, I was more prepared and good at it than I knew.

Why did you choose to study at CLASS?

I went to CPP for undergrad and majored in English with a focus in Language and Literature. Shortly after graduation, I went on my first trip to teach in China (so prepared thanks to my professors), I realized I want to continue to teach English. I decided to apply to the graduate program in English with an emphasis in TESOL. I've had a rewarding and steady career since graduation.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I get to work with native and non-native speakers of English, so my days are never the same. In addition to teaching middle and high school students, I set up a side business where I tutor or revise college and grad school essays for that population.

What is your advice for current students?

For undergrads, stay involved on campus. If you have a job on campus, see how you can get a job at CPP that relates to your major. Since you'll be working and going to school in the same place, you won't feel like you're stretching yourself to thin when you have to study. For grad students, stay committed to just finishing your program without any outside distractions that may take away from your success in the program. Apply to become a TA, form study groups, go abroad if you have the opportunity to, and build good relationships with peers and professors. You will need them once those job apps require letters of recommendation!

What are you passionate about in your work?

Helping students realize their potential. Just like me, my students don't know how good they actually are in writing or in speaking, especially those whose second or third or fourth language is English. I love seeing the ah-ha moments when they learn something new and start to use it.

How has your CLASS degree helped shape your success?

Every job opportunity or volunteer gig I took part in at CPP is on my resume. A lot of them are conversation starters in interviews. My interviewers would often start conversations with me about my experiences, so the formal questions they originally had went out the window! Teaching abroad and volunteer in programs for exchanges students on campus are the biggest topics of conversation and show how broad my experiences are. These have helped me get several jobs since graduation.

How are you making a positive impact on the world?

Many of our large public schools don't have programs for students with learning challenges. In addition to teaching, I provide support to students with ADHD, autism, and other disorders get the most out of the core classes they need to graduate high school.

Many other students also require English as a second language and deeper support than schools can offer, so I work with kids one-on-one to tackle those challenging areas that come along with learning a new language so that they can navigate their new world.