Christie Matyola

I am a graduate of the University of South Florida, with a Mass Communications/Public Relations degree. Along with this, I also hold a 120-hour TEFL certification. My education combined with my work experience and life abroad has allowed me to develop a greater knowledge of professional and interpersonal skills.

Previously, I have held positions with the New York Mets, University of South Florida Athletics, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Red Music (Sony Music Entertainment) and Stars at Sea.

My experience in public relations gives me a unique and valuable perspective. Public relations has taught me the importance of building relationships through active listening and communication. I have learned how to react and get messages across to a wide array of audiences. These skills are extremely valuable when teaching. Every student is different, which means their perspective and how they process new topics is different. Being able to adapt and adjust the lesson while creating an environment of mutual respect will create a positive learning environment.

While with the New York Mets, I was an English Language and Culture Instructor in the Dominican Republic. My responsibilities included conducting English classes and planning cultural events for prospect ballplayers. My team of teachers and I earned the title of being the best group of teachers the Mets have had. The main reason for our success was due to our flexibility, creativity, and variety in the classroom. Currently, I am still teaching several of the players online, as a private tutor.

Along with these experiences, I have also studied abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I chose Thailand because I didn’t know much about the culture and wanted to have the opportunity of understanding what it would be like living in a country very different than the United States. This was the experience of a lifetime and intensified my desire to travel and live abroad.

Each year I push myself to expand my experiences and learn new skills. I am an extremely dedicated individual who yearns for new experiences.