Janirah Figueroa

I am passionate about education, journalism and ecotourism. Born in Puerto Rico, I earned a Masters in Communications, with a specialization in Journalism, at the University of Puerto Rico. After working for many years as a public relations executive for the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, as well as a journalist for the largest newspapers and magazines, I moved to United States in 2001. During the last seven years, I have been teaching Spanish and Journalism at schools in Connecticut and New York City. In my pedagogy, I balance the use of multimedia technology and student-centered activities, including walking trips around New York City neighborhoods to learn about local culture and tradition. Moreover, I take from my professional experience in the communications industry to design lessons that improve student writing and communication skills. A freelance writer, editor and translator, I currently serve as a contributing writer for "El Nuevo Dia" - the main newspaper in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and US trade publications such as Explore (in-flight magazine for Taca Airlines) and Tu Salud. In addition, I have worked closely with various publishing companies, public relations agencies, and other industrial service providers. In my spare time, I enjoy researching and traveling to ecotourist destinations around the world, reading memoirs and business publications, and raising Sebastian, my 10 year-old son, with love, respect, and patience.