SALTCasts
Mary Beth Foster
Learning Specialist
(520) 626-3711
Email Mary Beth
Office 220
Hello, my name is Mary Beth Foster, and I am one of the academic professionals here at the SALT Center. As a Learning Specialist, I am prepared to aid SALT students by offering learning strategies and support for the many life changes that occur in a college setting.
I enjoy helping young adults and have assisted youth in the field of education for over thirteen years. My past work with youth included tutoring Native American students, counseling At-Risk students, and most recently, teaching English at a top performing academic high school for the last eight years. My lesson plans incorporated multiple learning strategies for learning disabled students because I strongly believe in reaching all students. As a result, I was one of the preferred teachers by counselors and the Special Education department for placement of students with learning disabilities and ADHD.
I earned my post-baccalaureate teaching credentials in English from the University of Arizona in 1995. Prior to that I also obtained my Bachelor's degree from the U of A in 1990. My major was creative writing, and my minor was in journalism.
Native to Tucson and proud to be an alumnus of the U of A, I am excited about sharing my home ground with SALT students. I have a wealth of knowledge that ranges from effective study practices to masterful writing techniques to area attractions such as scenic sites and flavorful native cuisine.
I often treat myself to my favorite Mexican restaurants and can recommend some good places for salsa to the daring. I thrive on the Tucson sunshine, even in the middle of summer, although I especially love the tremendous thunderstorms that offer relief to the dry desert. The sweet scent of creosote after a desert rainfall brings a promise of life, and my family and I occasionally go for moonlit drives amongst the Saguaros and the Palo Verde trees, especially enjoyable after a rain.
Aside from work, I spend all my time with my family, my husband Bill and our five sons: Shiloh, 15; Shane, 13; Josiah, 11; Elijah, 9; and Levi, 7. Our lives revolve around their activities, which include karate, tennis, soccer, and swimming. When I get a moment to myself, I add a few lines of dialogue to a screenplay I've been working on, or perhaps, I'll play Beethoven's "For Elise" on the piano. I occasionally listen to classical music, but my main beat is rock and roll.