I'm a Colorado native born and raised in Arvada, Colorado (a suburb of Denver). I moved to Greeley, Colorado (about an hour north of Denver) when I graduated high school and attended the University of Northern Colorado for Elementary Education with an emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language. Right after I graduated I accepted my first teaching job teaching 3rd grade to a very diverse student population at a public school in the Greeley area. I had two rewarding, yet very challenging first years of my teaching career and then was called to continue my teaching abroad.
Many of you are probably wondering..."Why Thailand?" especially since I've only traveled to Spanish speaking countries and have basically only ever talked about my love for South America and it's people and thought to myself "Why would I want to go anywhere else?" Well, it is a good question and honestly I am still thinking why too, but all I know is that the Lord has placed in me a desire to use my teaching skills and desire to learn new cultures and languages for an unknown, greater purpose. He has called me to go and I will follow even when listening requires sacrifices and becoming uncomfortable. I've had the blessing to experience the many different cultures represented in Greeley, some of which are the Karen, Karenni, and Burmese groups from refugee camps in Thailand. I've been able to learn more about the traditions, families, food and language from just spending time and serving in my community at home in CO. It prepared me well for the move to live and serve in the Asian country where so many of these precious people have come from.
I am very thankful for the opportunity to continue living and serving in Thailand. I'm excited to see God's continued faithfulness in this journey! 2 years teaching 4th grade at Grace International School AND then 2 more years teaching 6th grade. Now I am teaching adult Burmese migrants English and supporting the work and efforts of Partners Relief and Development. What an adventure!