Tutor profile: Joan Libera

Joan Libera loves her job. For ten years, Joan has been tutoring ELI students, which in her case means offering not only expert information and advice about the English language, but a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to lean on. Ask her what she likes best about her job, and she's quick to let you know: "I love my job because my job is love." (You'll find this personal credo of Joan's printed across the front of her daily planner!) "I like to see students blossom," Joan remarks, to stand by students as they change before her eyes, from bewildered newcomers into competent, articulate citizens of the English-speaking world.

For Joan, family is what's most important in her life, and the same nurturing and caring she showers on the Libera family, including her four grandsons, she showers on her ELI family.

Joan's language and teaching expertise comes from the thirty years she spent completing degree work in English language and literature (with a specialization in business and technical writing), finishing course requirements between the unending chores of marriage and motherhood. Like the students she tutors, Joan is also familiar with the experience of trying to survive in a foreign country, having spent time in Poland and in a Polish language institute struggling to learn the language.

Sometime, when life feels like a race and there's no time to slow down and savor the moment, catch up with Joan in the halls of ELI. Ask her about psychology, great books, antiques, travel, whatever's on your mind: Joan will manage to carve out an unexpected corner of time for you, with a smile and real graciousness.