My mother and I in Japan

Twenty-three years ago, I moved from my home in Saskatchewan, Canada, to Japan where my mother was teaching English.  Fortune found us jobs at Aoba International School. It was her last year and my first year of full-time teaching.  My mother had been a Kindergarten teacher for most of her 27 year career, so being mentored by her throughout my first full year was magical and taught me more than one could ever expect.

Brian and I - serious IMAX spies!

That same year, I met my partner, Brian Malone.  Brian was finishing a five-year stint in Japan as the head of the English department at Aoba International School.  We found jobs at ACS Egham and moved to England. I worked as a Pre-K Teacher.

Our little sprog John - 3 months old

We missed our life and friends in Japan, so we searched for jobs and found teaching positions at Tokyo International School.  I taught Kindergarten there for three years, and Brian was a Middle School Generalist for two years.   Our son John was born during the middle of my second year at TIS.

Zdravstvuyte!

We threw the dice, gave up our jobs, and entered the job fair with open minds and a sense of wanderlust.  We excitedly accepted postings in Moscow at the Anglo-American School. At AAS I was the Early Years Team Leader and a full-time Pre-K Teacher.   Brian has taught Humanities in the middle school and IB DP English.  

First day of school joy!

​Our second son, Ben, was born during our fourth year in Moscow. AAS was an extremely supportive environment where Brian and I grew both personally and professionally.  Our school was there for us when our family faced overwhelming challenges shortly after Ben was born.  AAS is not an institution, but instead an extended family that we have felt so privileged to be part of. 

Sunny days in Koh Chang!

​Jumping out of the freezer and into the frying pan, we moved to sunny Thailand!  We started working with NIST International School eight years ago.  I was the Early Years Team Leader and introduced and helped to grow the learning through play approach called 'Open Inquiry'.  Brian was an MYP English and Individuals and Society teacher.  Covid brought a lot of struggles, but it also brought us Daisy, our little rescue pup!  We were happy to be in this amazing country throughout the pandemic - we still can't believe how lucky we are to have been trapped in paradise during that difficult time.  

John’s last first day of school, Ben’s Grade 7

John is an exceptional learner and is graduating this year.  He was dual enrolled, taking DP classes at our school in Busan as well as taking courses through Berklee College of Music.  He will graduate with both a HS Diploma and will have earned an Advanced Professional Certificate in Orchestration for Film and TV! 

Ben, our second son, is now turning thirteen.  He is in Grade Seven and is obsessed with football (like his father).  I fog up the windows trying to watch him on the playground when I'm not on duty.  He swims like a fish, loves to make things with his glue gun and tools and is currently learning to surf. 

The annual family canoe trip!

We camp all summer. We have a little CRV and trundle along the West Coast of Canada pulling our tent trailer. Everyone gets ‘unplugged’ and we submerse ourselves into the natural world, slow days, and campfires. For one week each summer, we dive into the woods and go on a big long canoe trip. I am hoping now that John will be on his own he will still join us on these trips.

Trowing a pot in the studio

While in Japan I developed an obsession for ceramics and fell in love with the process of creating pottery.  I gave gift after gift of lumpy bowls and mugs until I managed to hone in on some skill.  I try to get into the studio as often as I can and look to take courses each year at MISSA - an art school held on the campus of Pearson College UWC during the summer months.   

Sculpting a window sill and soap dish holder

My love of sculpture and hand building ceramics led me into thinking about natural building.  Brian, John and I took part in a  cob-house building course on Vancouver Island.  More people in our world live in homes like these than the 'to code' homes that you see in developed countries.  I hope to build a studio or structure one day for our family and look to continue learning about natural and sustainable homes. 

Playing with fellow teachers at the lunchtime jam sessions

I love playing the guitar.  I was given a guitar about 20 years ago and have since learned every song that would put a crowd to sleep!  I'm no rocker, that's for sure!  I mostly play the mellow music that I love with my son John, as well as a variety of kids' songs that keep the classroom children singing.  My mother taught me how to play the ukulele and loads of kids' songs that are perfect for the classroom.