africateach's VirtualTourist Home Page
| Page Views: 5,123 | Living the dream!!! by africateach - last update: Feb 2, 2009 |
| Wedding on a cruise.... oh yeah!!! |
When I came back to the US, I thought my big travel days were over. No more running around the world foot loose and fancy free... WRONG!!! My wife and I are of the same mind and agree that this is just too big of a world to stick around in one place! We decided to keep the travel bug alive by planning our wedding on the ocean!!! Getting married on a cruise to the Caribbean was the best idea! We had friends and family, fun and sun and plenty of time away from it all!
We bought a house and started planning for the future. She said "Baby?!"" I said... uuummm, how about Mexico?!" It is true that communication is key to a healthy relationship because we were Mexico bound :)
We agreed that all of the important things will work themselves out, but visiting different places and being a part of the culture, ok that and shopping, are what we need to truly thrive... ok, that was her addition to this page!!!
Living in the Seattle area is great and the Bears will come through here every few years. We can drive to Canada for some skiing and hockey, or down the coast to the redwoods of California!!! |
|  | Football baby!!! Get your jersey on, strap on the food bag and down some brews becasue it is time for the monsters of the midway to come on through!!!
TRAVEL PLANS FOR 2008-2009
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico-- done and it rocked!!!
Tampa, Florida-- weather and food were worth the long trip!!!
Chicago, Illinois-- always a pleasure to visit the old stompin ground!
Cruise to Hawai'i |
| | Hello to all! I am originally from Chicago, Illinois, USA. I have been a teacher for awhile, but as of August 2003... I became an International Teacher!
I was actually pushed into doing this! I was a home body and had some idea of the world, but not really... even for a teacher!
The push was a few years ago and just kept going!!! I found that my profession would even allow me to do so while GETTING PAID!!!
I have honestly been going back and forth with my adventures! Sometimes I am very happy to be in this type of circuit, but then again, leaving the truck, dog and mom in the states has been something of a struggle. Internationally, I have become more aware of the differences between people! It was always a concern of mine to try to see people for who they are. When you are thrust into another's culture, there are many things that I have learned to do:
1: Remember I am NOT in charge!!!
2: Remember I am NOT in charge!!!
3: Remember I am NOT in charge!!!
Hey... I am a teacher, so control is a bit of an issue! Don't worry, travel is helping me... BABY STEPS!!!
In this picture, I took 9 students from Conarky, Guinea to Switzerland on a ski trip! The picture is not the best, but it has meaning. The best part... some had never seen snow before!!! I will always be the one that they will remember when they think of first experiences in life. That is pretty rare, even for an educator!!!
I am always asked how it is to be a teacher. Want to know? Read below!
My Class
Hearing the clatter of wood
makes the experience come alive.
Constant scratching
to reach the surface unknown.
Feet of fury burn
through the crisp of air
while steam appears
behind an unknown face.
The sound of a crash
and the wisp of thread
controls the mood
until all become aware
that in an instant one can be revered
to a status unquestionable
and a constant light
stays vigil to remind
you that it is real.
Try not to panic
because a single voice can't be heard.
The harmony of all is what appears to me.
____________________________
There are times in life when you can prolong your experiences and then there are times you need to split... so far, I am caught in the middle!
I have developed a network of friends here over the years, and know it will be difficult to leave, but there is a big world out there and the real friends will know why I have to leave.
I have the determination to brave the tempest of my family's scorn for leaving the US!
Gotta be me!!! |
| | WHAT TEACHERS MAKE
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued: What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher? "Those who can do, those who can't teach." To corroborate, he said to another guest: "You're a teacher, Shawn, be honest. What do you make?" Shawn, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness, replied: "You want to know what I make?"
"I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor and an A - feel like a slap in the face if the student did not do their best."
"I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. I can make parents tremble with fear when I call home." "You want to know what I make?"
"I make kids wonder."
"I make them question."
"I make them criticize."
"I make them apologize and mean it."
"I make them write."
"I make them read, read, read."
"I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, and never misspell either of those words again."
"I make them show all their work in math and hide it all on their final drafts in English."
"I elevate them to experience music and art and the joy of performance, so their lives are rich, full of kindness and culture, and they take pride in themselves and their accomplishments."
"I make them understand that if you have the brains, then follow your heart... and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you pay them no attention."
"You want to know what I make?"
"I make a difference."
"What about you?"
____________________________ |
 africateach's Albums | | | |
|
 Comments for africateach | | | | |
joiwatani Fri Nov 14, 2008 04:56 UTC
Didn't realize you are from Seattle! What about joining forces for VT meet next summer? | glabah Thu Nov 13, 2008 05:48 UTC
Wonderful thoughts on teaching. The educational school at my university had a T-shirt for the future teachers: "I touch the future. I teach." | travelgourmet Tue Nov 4, 2008 02:50 UTC
Nothing like the real thing and knowing that you are getting the real thing, The Vallarta Cigar Factory makes their own and has the real Cuban bands. See their website: Http://www.vallartacigarfactory.com/eng/index.html | ciaobellamici Sun Nov 2, 2008 22:47 UTC
Very Nice Home Page. Congratulations on living with passion and purpose. Thank you for sharing it so well with others here. A teacher since 1980, Margaret |
|
|
email me
add as friend
