Biography

Michelle Quiter is a graduate of the University of Nebraska—Lincoln with a Bachelor's Degree in French and Art Education and she has just earned a Master's of Art in Teaching English as a Second Language (MA-TESL) at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Michelle began learning French at the age of 13 and never stopped learning all through college. During her junior year she studied French and art in Bordeaux, France. Upon graduating in 1989, Michelle secured a teaching position at Lago Vista High School in Texas where she taught French I and II and Art. As a young woman, Michelle decided that teaching high school was not for her and decided to pursue a career in graphic design.

In 2003 Michelle began volunteering at Literacy Austin. She originally intended to tutor one-on-one, but found that there was a shortage of English teachers for small groups. Michelle gave teaching English to small groups a try and found that she really loved it! She also found that adults are the best students to teach because they are dedicated, disciplined, and motivated to learn. Volunteering at Literacy Austin opened up a whole new world to Michelle; plus it combined her love for language and teaching into a very meaningful opportunity to help people. She was one of four tutors honored in 2004, and was named "Center Tutor of the Year."

Michelle is an avid world traveler. She has been to France, England, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain (for an hour!), Monaco (for two hours!), and Mexico. She enjoys experiencing life in other cultures and finds learning new languages both fascinating and fun. Michelle is currently teaching English at Penn State in the IECP program.