Though the subject changes from time to time, I'm definitely a teacher at heart. Until recently, I taught special education at the high school level. I ran a Learning Center; which basically means I taught all of the subjects, but in a different way, only one or two at a time, to fewer students. My students were just regular kids, but with some sort of deficit in one or two areas. Many of them had learning disabilities (reading or math), behavior problems, or emotional issues. The experience of that job definitely made me a better teacher (working with special needs teenagers is not for the faint of heart!) and it opens you up as a person.

I did the whole college thing. But I'm honestly learning more now than I ever did in college. Since it's a typical question people ask, here's my condensed resume: I have a Bachelor of Science in Education (concentration in Secondary Social Studies), a Bachelor of General Studies in Theater & Film (emphasis in Film), and a Master of Science in Education (concentration in Adaptive Special Education).

I previously taught English as a Second Language in the Middle East and in Hong Kong. As well as world geography in China. Since it's between hiring seasons, I'm currently teaching English online while exploring Eastern Europe. :-)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I absolutely love this idea! Getting to know local people in the places I visit and paying it all forward by welcoming visitors where I live...what's not to like? :)

Interests

I'm into a lot of different things and tend to have eclectic, yet simple tastes. I love music, movies, dancing, politics, theater, hiking, swimming, traveling (especially rustic road tripping), camping, cooking, exploring, reading, learning, teaching, educating others, home projects, and on and on. Live shows and festivals are my favorite. Been way into documentaries lately. Now that I'm finally finished with my masters, I'm enjoying the extra free time to read for pleasure (and self-education). I LOVE HISTORY!!! It's fascinating and its understanding is our only means of improvement. I will NEVER stop learning.

• theater
• documentaries
• festivals
• dancing
• education
• cooking
• politics
• trivia
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• camping
• swimming
• teaching
• history
• languages
• mathematics
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC: This is one of my all-time favorite things. My tastes are pretty varied. Over the years, I’ve found that there’s something I like in pretty much every genre (excluding Death Metal). Punk, Funk, Soul, Reggae, Blues, Hip-Hop, Pop, Country, Alternative, Classic Rock, Bluegrass, Jazz, Classical...it's all awesome. Ask me about what I like. I'll talk your ear off. :)

MOVIES: Never ask a film major what their favorite movie is. :-P There is no way I could ever compile an adequate list. For the sake of brevity (which I passed a long time ago, I know), here are some narrative filmmakers I like: Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin Scorsese, the Cohen Brothers, Charlie Kaufman, Stephen Soderbergh, Woody Allen, Mike Nichols, Wes Anderson, Steven Spielberg, Orson Wells, Alfred Hitchcock, John Hughes, Stanley Kubrick, Billy Wilder, Francis Ford Coppola, Charlie Chaplin, Frank Capra, David Lynch, Judd Apatow, Sydney Lumet, Roman Polanski, Ricky Gervais, Jim Jarmusch, Tim Burton, Sydney Pollack, David Fincher, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Ron Howard, Terry Gilliam, Brian De Palma, Buster Keaton, Peter Jackson, Mel Brooks, Rob Reiner, Kevin Smith, Harold Ramis, Spike Jonze, Richard Linklater, Sam Mendes, Milos Forman

BOOKS: Mostly non-fiction, although there are exceptions here and there (like Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy…totally awesome!). I really like pretty much everything Shel Silverstein has ever written. I totally love A Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends. The Giving Tree still makes me misty, every time. The Tao of Pooh might be my favorite book ever.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Lost 185 pounds.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm a total nerd, so I get really into topics that interest me. I'm also a natural born teacher, so if there's something we both enjoy, I can talk about it for hours (if you like, of course).

While I can definitely help you with your English, I do wish I were better at learning languages myself. If you wanted to share any useful words in your native language, I'm an eager learner.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Conversation. A song or two. Massage. Movie quotes and references. Random trivia knowledge. Hugs! I also love to cook. If you are willing to host me, I would be delighted to cook for you. :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Belize, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Macao, Macedonia, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela

Countries I’ve Lived In

Albania, Bulgaria, China, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Kuwait, United States