Born and raised in the USA, I left my country in 1996 to backpack in Latin America and learn Spanish. I discovered international teaching and have not looked back. I've lived abroad for 26 years, having taught in four countries: Honduras, Holland, Hungary, and most recently India. (I got tired of H countries, so I moved on to the letter I !)

I've been location independent since I left my last job in India in May of 2016. I typically spend summers in the USA, winters in Asia, and spring and fall in Europe. I've taken three gap years: at 31 to study Spanish in Latin America, at 42 to learn photography while backpacking through Asia, and at 51 to reconnect with family and friends around the globe. That "year off" from employment turned into six years, as I launched my business as a traveling multidisciplinary educator.

I'm currently studying the enneagram and integral theory, and learning to put those theories into practice with a business accelerator called "We Flow." We Flow combines play, mindfulness, and collective intelligence to boost creativity and productivity. I plan to use the methodology to grow my business and helps other entrepreneurs and teachers grow theirs.

Pourquoi je suis sur Couchsurfing

I've done more than my share of sightseeing, so I now like to travel primarily to meet and get to know people! I find traveling with someone or sharing a space (as a host or guest) is a much better and quicker way to get to know someone well. A long weekend of Couchsurfing creates a better connection than a year of weekly meet ups over coffee or a meal.

Centres d'intérêt

My greatest passions are teaching and learning, photography, travel, and volunteerism.

I've taken intensive photo workshops in Burma, Paris, and Calcutta.

I love creating community among diverse people around common interests. I'm currently working on creating a series of on-line classes that guide participants through the creation of a temporary co-living, co-working and co-mentorship community; a model they can then use to create their own community of supportive friends, travel mates and/or housemates.

• singing
• photography
• dancing
• cooking
• yoga
• meditation
• traveling
• drawing
• teaching
• volunteering
• community service

Morceaux de musique, films et livres

I actually don't think it's important to have similar interests in movies, books, and music (or politics, for that matter). In fact, I like being exposed to people with different interests, beliefs, and tastes.

That said, I like 70's classic rock (James Taylor, Joni Mitchell), classical (Bach, Handle, Mozart), World Music (Latin, African, Zydeco), as well as more recent pop and techno dance hits (think Zoomba tracks).

I prefer documentary films and non-fiction reading.

Une aventure extraordinaire que j'ai vécue

Between jobs (2007-2008), I took a year off from teaching to study photography and travel through SE Asia, Indonesia, Australia, India and Pakistan. I started off with a 2-week intensive photo workshop with Steve McCurry in Burma. I also took cooking classes in Thailand, photographed Mardi Gras in Sydney, couch surfed in Pakistan and landed a teaching job while visiting friends in New Delhi. (I stayed in India for eight years.)

Enseignez, apprenez, partagez

I am an English teacher, so I can definitely offer a chance to practice English as a Second Language. We can also practice our Spanish (intermediate).

I am an avid photographer and enjoy teaching photography. I've led teacher-colleagues from Budapest on photo safaris to Carnival in Venice and Mohacs (Hungary), as well as to the flower parade in Amsterdam. If interested, we can do a photo walk, or I can provide editing tips and feedback on photos.

Mostly, I like learning about my hosts and guests lives. I would like to learn recipes, songs, dance moves, yoga postures, carpentry and gardening, or whatever you're into that maybe I never even thought of learning.

I'm a big fan of online courses, such as Coursera, Udemy & Achology. I've taken online courses in journalism, graphic design, gamification, life coaching, the teaching of mindfulness, entrepreneurship and digital marketing. With "Enneagram Egypt" I learned about the enneagram and integral theory as a means of transpersonal growth for both personal and career development.

The purpose of my travel and studies? To enrich my own life, in order to teach and share what I've learned with others.

Ce que j'aimerais partager avec mes hôtes

Besides teaching English and practicing Spanish, I love to cook; I can follow a recipe or act as your prep-cook/dishwasher. Need an extra pair of hands? I can help decorate, pack for a move, paint a room, plant flowers and vegetables, whatever! I've helped hosts and guests with basic computer skills, writing (revising and editing), and trip planning.

I have a master's degree in curriculum and instruction. If you're a teacher or presenter, I can help you plan lessons and presentations for maximum comprehension and participation; I'll even provide feedback on your delivery if requested.

Pays que j'ai visités

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Laos, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam

Pays dans lesquels j'ai vécu

Honduras, Hungary, India, Netherlands, United States

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