I first “went global” in 1990 when I upped stakes in Ottawa, Canada (woot!) and moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The initial contract was for two years, but I only planned to stay for one.
Thirty-two years and seven countries and schools later, I am still overseas! The travel bug bit me hard. The thing is, once you get out there, you find out how much more there is to see. I love the lifestyle! Our life has two parts: Teaching students from all over the place, with excellent travel and adventure - all during the school year - and fun summers at our home in Vermont, where we reacquaint ourselves with our North-America-based family and friends. It’s such a win-win!
In the last few years, I have not been teaching full-time, only subbing. As a trailing spouse, I have sought other ways to productively spend my time.
For a while now, I have thought that I’d like to try my hand at podcasting. As a long-time podcast lover, I have learned from some of the best in the game as I listened to their ideas and techniques. I hope to emulate some of them in my own small way.
The topic choice was obvious: International teaching leads to a lifestyle I love! I want to spread the joy of it to all teachers in the hopes that more and more of us will jump at the chance to see the world while also pursuing our chosen vocation.
I knew I wanted to have a co-host. And I naturally thought of David Carpenter. I knew he had been a podcast host on a couple of shows, so he had the experience that I lacked. I also knew that he is a stand-up guy and that we shared a lot of the same values.
Out of the blue, I reached out to David, whom I had not corresponded with in several years, with my proposed show idea. Luckily for me, his response was an enthusiastic “Yes!” And David has been as passionate and invested in the project as me. Phew! Without his support and validation, this podcast never would have gotten off the ground. We make an unstoppable team. And look at us now! A podcast, a website, and a presence on several social media platforms. Truly living the dream 😀
We have such exciting ideas for the show, and we hope you will contribute your ideas and suggestions as we seek to travel, teach and connect. Enjoy!
