Mary Claire Y. Canavan

Writer, Teacher, Traveler & Creative

I was born in Manila, Philippines and made Southern California my home when I was 6-years-old arriving in the United States with my parents. Presently, I live in a vibrant beach town called Long Beach (which is about 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles) with my husband Mick, a two-year-old golden retriever named Mr. Buttons and a 16-year-old tuxedo cat named Cat, Jenkins.

As an undergraduate student in college, I’ve had the experience of studying abroad in Oxford, England living with a British family.  My studies in England allowed me to travel to other European countries such as Ireland, France and Germany. 

Another place where I’ve lived was Hawaii where I volunteered for AmeriCorps outreaching to the underserved population on the island of Oahu.

For my enjoyment, I love creating arts and crafts, writing, traveling, spending time with family and friends and teaching my dog new tricks. I also love watching the sunset in the beautiful parks and marinas around Long Beach.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California (USC) in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. I also hold a TEFL certificate from California State University Long Beach (CSULB).

I invite you to reach out to me!

My Approach

My Teaching Philosophy at a Glance

I am a self-motivated, enthusiastic instructor committed to teaching English to children and adults in a fun and creative way. I value cultural diversity in my classroom as I believe it enlightens the minds and enlivens the experiences of students and teacher alike. I believe in encouraging students to be active learners by exploring their world using all their senses and using what they find as inspiration for creativity.

Collaboration

Moreover, I take a community-centric approach in my work to ensure that the colleagues I collaborate with come together to create the most meaningful learning experience for our students.

  • Diverse Students Taught

    All happy clients

  • 2 Years of Teaching Experience

    In the U.S.A. and Internationally

  • Community Advocate

    For a more inclusive world

Get in Touch!

Schedule a free 1:1 introductory session with me to discuss your educational needs.

FAQ

  • First things first, don't be nervous. We'll start with a free consultation to determine the student's educational needs and if we'll make a great match.

  • Pricing is based on the lesson time that the student needs whether it be a 30-minute or one hour lesson, I promise fair rates and will always require your approval before we begin.

  • Timelines depend on the needs of the student and what they would like to discuss with me.

Subscribe for Exclusive Updates