Meet The International TEFL Academy Staff

 What is your role at international TEFL Academy?

As a senior admissions advisor, I help advise and inspire new students to join our incredible community of teachers. As the Chairman of the Innovation Committee my role is to continue to facilitate ITA as the leader in the TEFL field by continually working towards ways to be the best TEFL provider on the globe with the most innovative ways to reach and serve our students, staff, and teachers.

What's Your Story?

I was a parent’s WORST nightmare. I have always been extremely independent and strong-minded. I was ready to move out of the house at age 12 (seriously). I was ready to explore the world! I had to wait until age 15 – when I found a way to apply for a scholarship to study in Russia. That experience changed my life.

After that experience I felt I had to see EVERYTHING. I got a job bussing tables at a pizza parlor to earn my own money and see more of the world. Age 16 I lived in Germany volunteering for a summer, at age 18 I was backpacking through Europe, hitchhiking through Africa, and traveling through Japan on work expeditions…and here I am today age 35! Have I stopped? Nope! Just last year I lived and traveled through South Africa, Argentina, Uruguay, Jamaica, and Ecuador…there is just too much to see!

What does travel and exploring the world mean to you?

It means living your life to the fullest. Seizing life on earth. You haven’t truly lived until you have traveled – I seriously believe that. Do you want to simply exist or LIVE? Living takes courage and means you have to set your fears aside and see what you are made of. To travel is to challenge and find yourself in your truest form. A bit intense, yes, but it’s true.

Where are you from, where did you go to college & what did you major in at college?

I’m from a little bit of everywhere…I grew up on Long Island, NY until I was 10 and have since lived in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and …Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

I have a BA in Visual Anthropology from Temple University in Philadelphia and an MA in Education from Marian University in Indianapolis.

What countries have you visited?

USA (really I have been cross country and all over – this counts!), Canada, Mexico, Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Aruba, Jamaica, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay, Argentina, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Russia, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, England, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Japan, Iceland, Sweden, Norway…

What's next on your list?

Mozambique! My husband is South African so next time we visit Africa I want to pop over to Mozambique for some white sand beaches, chili prawns on the grill, and cold beer.

Where have you lived, worked or traveled abroad long-term?

I have volunteered for environmental projects in Germany, Czech Republic, Iceland, South Africa, and Japan. These projects were long term and a bit wild – “experimental archeology and medieval goat shed building” in the Czech Republic for example! During these projects I also did a bit of English teaching with the local participants. I have lived on 5 continents – 2 more to go?

What was one of your most memorable travel experiences?

Well I got married while traveling in South Africa, and had my baby while traveling in Ecuador so I’m not sure if I can top either of those! I’ll have to write my memoirs one day – especially in my younger clubbing, juggling, hitchhiking days – OH MY!

Best travel advice?

Departure: plan on the fact that you will be worried, scared, excited, sad, anxious, emotional, and terrified all before your departure.

Arrival: plan to be stunned, in love, amazed, shocked, intrigued, blown away, confused, and relieved all at once upon your arrival.

Name some of your favorite literature & media:

Book: On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Album: Apocalypse by Bill Callahan

Film: Anything by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar

What is your favorite international cuisine?

Whelp, you can take the girl out of Long Island but you can’t take the Long Island out of the girl. Pizza! Hell yes! Try it all over the world – compare it and love it! My favorite pizza is actually in Cuenca, Ecuador and Puno, Peru up in the Andes Mountains. Who would have known?

Why do you like working at International TEFL Academy?

I love making dreams come true. I love advising students who have the inner calling that they just HAVE to do this. It’s difficult to figure out such a big move and have I mentioned – it’s terrifying?! My favorite part of working here is hearing from students after they have made the trip abroad. They are more confident, worldlier, and are living life to it’s fullest! It’s an incredibly rewarding job.