I am a Catholic school teacher in Chicago, Illinois. I teach English, social studies, and religion. I am a traveler and am perpetually on a journey. I sincerely value my encounters, my experiences, and my family and friends, so continuing to expand those things is essential to my being. As a teacher, I am forever a learner, and I do consider all actions and experiences one of learning.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

The primary reason I have turned to Couchsurfing is to engage in a cultural exchange, experience a city on a deeper level, and again, to further my learning and understanding of the world that has been laid before us. The only way I am able to do this is through the generosity and kindness of those I encounter!

Interests

Outside of teaching, I love to read, cook and bake, walk in the sunshine, expand my gastronomic understanding of the world. I love to explore whatever city I am in, whether Chicago, Denver, Boston (my three hometowns) or new places, I am always down to frolic around. As a practicing Catholic, I find Church history fascinating, so I like to get an understanding of places and their experience with Catholicism through visiting their parishes or understanding their ethnic/historical make ups.

With my students, I am primarily concerned with exposing them to the world, to things that are different, and in giving them a better sense of the various colors and flavors of the world. I stress the importance of travel and understanding the world through travel, hence why it's appropriate I do this!

• make up
• education
• cooking
• drinking
• traveling
• catholic
• teaching
• history
• religion

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: I love all my movies - "Breakfast at Tiffany's" to "Gladiator" is the range. I do not like scary movies though haha

Music: I like folky, indie music for the most part.

Books: I read a lot of young-adult lit to suggest books to my students, but I love everything. Most current reads are "Nothing But The Truth", "Alice in Wonderland", "Me Talk Pretty One Day", and "Joan of Arc".

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I think the life I lead has been pretty amazing thus far. I do not think I could limit it to one specific thing. The fact that we were made and that we are alive is pretty amazing phenomena in and of itself.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach - Anything one hopes to learn from me
Learn- Anything one hopes to teach to me
Share - Anything one hopes to exchange and enjoy with me

What I Can Share with Hosts

Things, I would like to think, I can offer others:
-Chicago's inner and outer workings.
-The Irish-American experience
-The Italian-American experience
-Catholic Church and its role in education
-How to make an awesome soda bread while cooking incredible meatballs at the same time
-My fabulous self ;)

Besides that, I am an excellent conversationist (blessed with the gift of gab), and I would most certainly hope to treat a host to dinner or drinks or ice cream.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States