About Me
Welcome!
I am a teacher by trade, and by calling. I love teaching just as much as I love learning. Having taught in Primary grades, I've learned that each day for those little guys is filled with a life lesson, sometimes learned the hard way, but often through their day to day interactions and experiences. They are continually improving.
It occurred to me that I am still just like my students, every day I'm learning, every day I'm improving. I'd love to share some of the life lessons I learn along the way, but also incorporate some of the lessons I'm teaching. I think learning the ABCs and 123s is just as important as learning to live life in a truer, better, more kind and compassionate way.
I hope you enjoy some of the lessons I offer and I hope I can have the opportunity to learn something from you as well.
I noticed your blog website, and I needed to find out more about what you've done!
ReplyDeleteI really want to travel (I've never even been on a plane), and I read that you worked as an Au Pair. You've had experience with children, and this has been an ongoing thing for you.
I want to do something similar, working for people outside of the states. I'm about to graduate with a degree in Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and I'll also have a provisional certification for Family Life Education. But I have so much knowledge and so little experience working with kids.
How did you start? What did you do? Are there any pointers you could give me so I can begin finding opportunities?
Thanks for your interest!
DeleteThere are many, many ways to get a start on finding work abroad. I've listed a few on this blog (see my last post). If you are looking for more experience working with kids, I would suggest starting out by volunteering locally. Churches, summer camps, after-school programs, mentoring networks...these organizations usually need help and rely heavily on volunteers. I also participated in a volunteer organization called Americorps, which heads a sub-group called Communities in Schools. This gave me a chance to volunteer in many settings working with kids, most of them in public schools as a mentor, tutor or teaching assistant. I'd recommend checking them out as well. Once you have these experiences under your belt, I would suggest taking a bigger leap and getting in contact with any of the organizations I've listed in my blog posts on travel (ones that offer opportunities abroad). Some offer volunteer opportunities, some set you up with paying jobs.
Really and truly, the biggest piece of advice I can give is to just get out there and start doing. Don't be afraid to do something that sounds intimidating- these usually end up being the most influential and life-changing experiences. Present yourself to the world... opportunities will begin presenting themselves to you.
Best of luck!
Andrea
Hey, Andrea!
ReplyDeleteI read about your amazing travels through the Escape Normal blog and I am looking to get started traveling and au-pair-ing. :) In fact, I am communicating with a family in Ireland who needs an Au Pair. Unfortunately, I contacted Immigration in Dublin and I would need a a Working VISA or a return ticket home to enter the country, which is completely understandable, but the process sounds pretty rigorous with a very low success rate. I was wondering if you had any advice about VISA's and traveling/working within the legal limits.
My email is juliekehr@gmail.com. I would really appreciate any feedback you have.
Have a great day!
Julie