CURRENT MISSION

I want to be happy and make the world a better place for having me in it.

ABOUT ME

I grew up in the coastal town of Rockland, Maine. As a child I always liked to build scientific things such as baking soda and vinegar volcanoes, solid fuel model rockets, balsam wood planes, and go-carts. Additionally, the culture of the mid-coast helped me to develop a strong work ethic.

After graduating high school I joined the US Navy, where I was trained as an electrical-mechanical and computer technician. In the service I learned about physics, computer systems, and the troubleshooting and repairing of electronics devices.

After the military I entered college, studying psychology. I worked for a number of years in the mental health field, but gradually shifted into teaching environmental education and guiding educational wilderness trips. In 1998 I decided to more formally shift to teaching as a career, and entered graduate school for middle school education, with an emphasis on social studies. Due to my first school’s needs I started teaching science. I found that I greatly enjoyed being a science teacher, as it allowed my hobbies of building things, experimenting, technical experience, environmental education, and teaching to come together.

My second school, Nogales, gave me many opportunities to grow as an educator and person. The international experience was enlightening. I learned to speak Spanish, deal with a diversity of students and people, and teach at three different grade levels.

For me the teaching process is very creative. I constantly attempt to improve my teaching methods and provide interesting, fun, and educational classes for my students. I usually do not have problems with classroom behavior, as I make a point of actively engaging the students and treating them respectfully.

PHILOSOPHY

I like to be happy. I like other people to be happy when they are around me. But if someone dosen't want to be happy that is OK with me too, as long as they don't want me to be unhappy as well.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

So far I have just joined. When I living back in my apartment in Colombia I expect to be a host.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

None yet!

Interests

I like to travel, but also to stay at home. I collect rocks and minerals. I like to practice martial arts. I read a lot of science fiction and watch movies.

• arts
• culture
• education
• cooking
• baking
• modeling
• electronics
• movies
• traveling
• martial arts
• teaching
• physics
• psychology
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies- science fiction and action, I don't like horror/slashers (but Stephen King movies yes)
Music- rock (classic, alternative, etc...), classical, some jazz and blues, almost anything except heavy country/western
Books- mostly science fiction, fantasy, and some historical fiction

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

People tell me I cook amazing pancakes and waffles, but for something truly amazing? I'm still working on it...

Teach, Learn, Share

This is a link to a website that I made for a university class. It's goal is to help a village in the Amazon rain forest to live sustainably. I have learned a lot there, and still have MUCH to learn. www.amazonpueblo.webs.com

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Peru

Countries I’ve Lived In

Colombia, United States

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