From Classroom to Classroom

"Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, caliber, and future of an individual. If the people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honour for me." - A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

I graduated in December of 2016 with a degree in Agricultural Education. Not sure of what I really wanted to do with my life, I decided to let my life play out as options appear in front of me.

Easter Egg Lab

After student teaching, I became a long term substitute teacher in the Science Department at my placement school. Teaching Chemistry and Biology wasn't my forte but I thought I would give it a shot. Nevertheless, I learned with my students and we survived a fun, yet tough, semester of heart dissections, stoichiometry, algebra problems, and chemical labs. If I learned anything, it was that anyone can do anything,...as long as you have the drive to learn.

Summer of that year brought a month worth of  teaching Plant Science and Spanish classes during summer school and a trip to Brazil to visit Leandro. Upon returning to the US, I decided to take the year "off" from AgEd/Science and teach in different subject areas. My next adventure was 5th Grade.

Bird House Making!

After the original teacher went on maternity leave, this high school teacher decided it was time to take on elementary kiddos - and it was the best (and most challenging) thing I have ever done!

5th Graders are a wild bunch of madness. Each day was different and each day was full of new things to learn and discover. I often went home feeling defeated but woke up prepared to take on the day. My students and I became a small family and I enjoyed having lunch, spending recess, and learning all day together. Leaving after my 10 week contract was heart breaking,...but I am so thankful for what those kids taught me.

Fire Truck Rides!

After 5th grade brought daily subbing jobs located throughout different school districts. Being a very detail oriented and goal setting person, I struggled with not knowing if I had a "job" the next day or not. This was also a great learning experience as I taught in all classes in K-12. Experience is a great way for people to learn,..and I got that; that's for sure!

Instead of applying for an AgEd job during the second half of the 2017-2018 school year, I decided to take a leap of faith and head across the Atlantic to teach/live with families abroad. Still unsure of what I want to accomplish as an educator, I reflected on who I was and what I wanted in life.

Agriculture is an important aspect of my family and family history

Being an Agricultural Education Instructor requires a person to be involved with the state, community, school district, classroom, students,...and has to balance all of that with family/home life. It's a mighty job and it doesn't fit everyone's personality - it takes sheer dedication, work ethic, and organization to be fully invested in your AgEd Program. Upon reflection, I decided that right now it wasn't the right time for me to settle down. It wouldn't be fair to my future kids, staff, or myself.

That being said,...living in Spain/South Africa is what I have next on my agenda. My next post will be about my program and what I will be doing.

I'm nervous for this new adventure but to accomplish (and find) what my purpose is in life,...I know that I have to do this.

Cheers and Happy 2018!

...It Begins!

I've decided to write this blog to document my own travels and experiences as I embark on my next life adventure. It's not easy for me to have other's read/hear my own written words - but this is a great way to organize my thoughts, emotions, and learning experiences. If you stumble across my personal journal, I hope you find it worth your while.

I've written blogs in the past on my trips to China and Japan....but I didn't write as much as I should have. I was going to continue writing as I went to Brazil (both times I've been there) but it's INSANELY hard to write everyday - and as every traveler always says: "I wish I wrote in my journal more."

I found those past blogs and I enjoyed my time reading them. It brought back a lot of great memories and stories. It was nice to re-experience what changed my life during my time abroad. I've decided to keep writing this time abroad to encourage my memories to be written down. I say this now,...but I hope (honestly!!) to write every week or so to talk about things I am experiencing and learning. As I've been a "real" classroom teacher for the past year, education is in my blood. I hope what I write (if you read it!) helps bring a little bit of culture onto your screen.

Enjoy or skim past - whatever you're feeling! I just hope you learn about the world through travel experiences. It has been the best thing I have ever done.

Well, and so it begins! I am hanging up my teaching bag and taking out my travel bag (what am I kidding,..they're the same bag!). I'm headed on a spiritual, personal, and educational growth experience. Feel free to follow me to: Spain (January 9th until April 10th), Dubai (April 11th), and South Africa (April 12th-July 1st)

Let the journey begin!

Leandro and I at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brasilia, Brazil; Iraq vs Brazil Soccer