Quick update: The CS community is amazing! I just love, love, love you all! I've had so many offers from hosts from all over Ireland, I have found it to keep up with where I have offers, and where I am still in need. It seems I have yet to find hosts who lives in Galway, Westport, Portrush, Belfast or Trim (possibly Kinsale or Kilkenny). So many of you in or near Waterford though! It must be fantastic there! If you are in any of the cities I just named, please feel free to reach out. I'm booking reservations just to be safe, but of course I'd rather stay with locals and meet new people! :) See below for more about me:

Hello Travelers and Hosts!

I am a High School teacher and professional speaker in Los Angeles, Ca. In 2011, I joined Teach For America and I've been teaching in South Central/Watts ever since. I love teaching in these communities! My students are under-resourced and brilliant, nonetheless. I can teach anything under Social Sciences, English, Theatre or Computer Science... and hopefully soon, Science (Mostly because I just love science!). Currently, my course combines Human Geography and Digital Literacy in an integrated cloud classroom model-- the brainchild of my Master's research pilot. My goal was/is not only for my students to learn the ebb and flow of society in a real-life meaningful way, but to develop the work-force and college-ready tech skills that will set them up for success in their futures. If you're into changing lives and making a difference, I'll have no shortage of opportunities for you. :) I'm a balanced workaholic. I strive to be present for my family and friends but there's also just so many kids who need a leg up in this world!

I'm an open book with an open mind and an open heart. I'm a vegetarian and something of an environmentalist. My mom calls me a tree-hugger. That's a bit of an exaggeration. It's not like oxygen grows on trees. I'm an easy-going perfectionist, if that makes any sense...? I like things to be calm, somewhat predictable... stable, but I crave adventure and spontaneity too. Before joining Teach for America, I lived in Cairo Egypt. The extent of my traveling is mostly localized to the Middle East. Before moving abroad, I hadn't really left California. I dove headfirst. haha!

Now that I have been working long enough to start paying back UCLA all those student loans, I'm working on traveling more. I work with local Rotary clubs as the Interact Club advisor for my school. In June I will be taking 6 of my high school age "Interactors" to Jamaica to donate books and laptops to 4 local schools. We have accommodations with a Rotary member, but if you live in Jamaica and have suggestions for things I should make sure my students experience, please message me!

From June 25-July 27 I will spending my personal time off with 21 days in Ireland, and 11 days in London with my best friend from Egypt! While I am touring Ireland and Northern Ireland, I am looking for hosts in the cities of Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Kinsale, Kenmare, Dingle, Galway, Westport, Derry, Portrush, Belfast and Trim. I have posted my travel plans here as well. Once I am back from my trip, I'm happy to open my home to travelers!

I have an amazing spacious three bedroom South Bay apartment located less than a mile from Dockweiler Beach (the last of the bonfire beaches!), 1 minute (literally) from the 105 highway, 10 minutes away from Loyola Marymount University, and just a couple blocks from Downtown El Segundo and its adorable shops. My apt is open concept design with a built-in bar, beautiful wood floors, and the most comfortable couch you've ever slept upon! Did I mention, we're just a few blocks walk to local eateries, bars, stores, and the beach?!

Currently, I share my home with a bright, ambitious, 26 year-old who programs rockets for SpaceX (I know, right?!) and another phenomenal roommate who works for Trip Advisor. Our home comes equipped with a small dog, Indiana, and two black cats, Madmartigan and Jango. They are all best friends and love to wrestle/practice their parkour! All residents have equal access to their awesomeness. If you're an animal lover, they will warm your heart like no other! P.s. No worries about a pet-smelly house (we have no tolerance for that), we are super techie and have a fully automatic litter box connected straight to the plumbing (Plus, an afternoon dog walker)! :)

We've recently made some upgrades around the place, including recessed ceiling and lighting in the kitchen, a brand new Samsung refrigerator with built-in ice and purified water dispenser, new wall plugs, phone accessible automatic lighting, and phone controlled A/C and heat, touch sensor/automatic bathroom faucet, and an automatic door lock with remote access from your cell... can you tell we love our gadgets?!

P.s. Travelers, I will be out of the country June 11-July 27. When I return, I can open my home to LA visitors!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm on couchsurfing because I love meeting new people and helping others. When I stay in hotels or bed and breakfasts, I don't meet as many people or have the opportunity to engage with others on a deeper, more personal level. As a history teacher, traveling and getting to know people from other cultures is not only my passion, but an amazing opportunity for me to introduce new stories and people to my students. I love to share my stories, my life and experiences, but more than that, I love to learn about other's stories, lives and experiences!

Interests

I love history. I love stories. Learning about the history of places and visiting those locations is my everything. Hearing your stories is like living in the days of oral traditions. Those experiences make me a better teacher and invest my students in learning and exploring other cultures, beliefs and locations.

This is extremely important to know, I embrace any excuse to make and don a costume. Any. Excuse. My students, my Instragram and Facebook /KimberleeAKelly will vouch for that.

• photography
• technology
• movies
• hiking
• teaching
• history
• psychology
• travel
• cosplay
• star wars

Music, Movies, and Books

I read constantly. Currently, reading The Force Awakens... It's terrible. No joke. Remember the "after the movie" books you'd get at the scholastic book fair? You know the ones that had scenes from the film stapled up the middle and always felt like they were just a little too easy for you to get away with reading? Remember how the book was like watching a crappy version of the script. Yeah, it's like that-- but somehow worse? I know this a more confrontational topic that ISIS right now, but I perhaps there will be a few people that are willing to challenge the status quo and question the character development here. I'm in dire of need of some background information on a few characters--especially Finn.

I have a penchant for listening to Neil deGrasse Tyson and Richard Dawkins podcasts while I clean house. I love TEDtalks on Science and Medicine! So much so, I spent 8 months organizing a TEDx event last year and we were able to get Nolan Bushnell (gold star if you know who he is) as headliner.

I own a 3D television, but I refuse to pay for cable and never turn on the 3D. My battlestation is set up to stream and, let's face it, I stream way more than I should admit. Luckily for me, most of the shows I love aren't available with new episodes during the same seasons, or I'd never leave the house.

I blew through 3 seasons of Vikings this past weekend. Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead are pretty well mainstays. Although I'm not caught up on TWD. I often save up seasons and watch them all in a few sittings, or specifically look for new addictions.

I was getting pretty attached to Revolution... But of course, it's been fireflied. I used to be diehard for Dexter, but let's face it, after Rita, I just couldn't get over it. And then there's Once Upon a Time, (but that's probably pretty obvious given the rest of this profile). My last few addictions were Nikkita, Chuck, My Name is Earl, Bates Motel, Merlin, Eureka, Doctor Who, Battlestar Gallactica, Heroes, Jericho, and The IT Crowd... Lol clearly, I have a type when it comes to my viewing pleasure... In any case, I blow through shows way too fast. So if you have suggestions, I'm always looking for my next series love affair.

I also love Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and I'm fairly obsessed with Star Wars--if previous paragraphs and photos didn't make that embarrassingly obvious... And we'll, okay most LucasFilms (my animals are named Indiana, Madmartigan, and Jango for reasons, you know). I tent camped with some friends to be first in line for opening night of Episode III. Stayed for 4 days. Others didn't come until day 3... We may have been overly prepared. This time around I bought my seats 2 months out, so there was way less commitment on the day of. Lol I love the new Star Tours at Disneyland, it's visually stunning- even if the 3D makes me nauseous (that doesn't stop me from starting and ending every Disney day with it!).

On a serious note, although can the time has now passed, you should probably be forewarned of my crazy. I put myself in a media blackout regarding Episode 7 for more than a year and half. I managed to attend many cons, including Star Wars celebration without learning so much as the actors that had been cast. I knew nothing, Jon Snow. The struggle was real, (and I'm happy to talk about what it was like to black out all the hype and see it wish fresh eyes), but for episode 8, I think I'll focus on all the new canon novels.

As you might have guessed, I have a Disney pass and would love to meet someone who might enjoy impromptu trips to the happiest place on earth for dinner and a quick whip through the haunted mansion.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Packed my bags and moved to Egypt to study Arabic and explore a breathtaking culture that so many in the world often put down.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm an intellectual. Deep conversation about life, religions & politics are my air. If you're into that, I got you covered.

I teach History and political science, so I'm pretty good at that.

I know Los Angeles, pretty well and have an extensive list of "Things to Do" that I created for my students.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I bring ambition, energy and passion for kindness, understanding and knowledge. If you want a conversationalist, I'm your girl. I'm also fiercely independent though, so if you're busy, no problem!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, Palestine

Countries I’ve Lived In

Egypt, United States