Footprints Recruiting

Director of Advertising and Marketing & Intern Coordinator

Hesitantly, I begin this- the bio that is! I say hesitantly because unlike everyone else at the office, I apparently lack that bit of altruism and quest for betterment that has led everyone else into the field of teaching.

I know, I know, looking at that sweet smile, and inviting face you question my meaning, but let me tell you I certainly didn’t begin my life as an E.S.L. tutor thinking that I could enrich the lives of children by bringing the wonders of the English language into their lives...

I’m almost embarrassed to admit this but I actually got into E.S.L. tutoring while at University in Australia. You see I lived in the dormitories on what seemed to be the “international floor”, the very Swedish-populated international floor I might add. Now I know when most people hear the word “Swedish” they automatically think of those ridiculously beautiful bikini-like models, and unfortunately there were a handful of those, but more importantly there were also absurdly handsome Swedish men too.

Well, being the friendly girl that I am (and for the sake of Footprints please don’t take “friendly” out of context) one day I found myself being approached by one of those “absurdly handsome” Swedish men asking me for help with his English course. Evidently, the altruism that I mentioned was lacking before kicked in pretty fast and before I knew it I was the go-to-girl for some of the international folks on the floor needing English help (I guess they never got the memo stating “hot Swedish men need only apply” – I’m kidding).

Well, after that experience I realized two things. First- I was actually pretty good at helping others grasp concepts that they found challenging, and second, as far as I knew Vancouver didn’t have a large demand for E.S.L. teachers in the Swedish community. So with these things in mind I returned home to finish my degree in history at S.F.U.

While home, I began spending my spare time volunteering in elementary schools to help children with all subjects. It was while doing this that I came to the conclusion that children might need my help a little more than my previous preferred tutees. Surprisingly, I found that I really loved working with children, which was largely due to the fact that I was really a big kid myself. Even more surprisingly, it appeared my students loved being taught by me (kids are candid little creatures aren't they!).

Inevitably, time flew by and before I knew it I was graduating and deciding what to do with my life. After much consideration I decided that I was going to be a teacher, so I sent away my application and decided that while it was being processed (it takes about 8 months) I would head off to Japan and teach E.S.L. at the Academy of a family friend where two of my cousins and an ex-boyfriend had also taught. Within a month I had packed up and on Jan 1st, 2004 I flew into Osaka, Japan.

Once in Japan with my long blond hair and my inability to tell people to bugger off I was being approached all the time- on the train, in coffee shops, in the bars and malls. It was a surreal experience that is hard to explain without experiencing it for yourself. When I wasn’t being poked, prodded and approached at every stop, I spent my time teaching adults and children at the private language school and twice a week I had a kindergarten and grade one class in a public school (my absolute favorite). The rest of the time I went exploring Japan heading off to Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Kobe all of which were incredible!

However, soon my time was up and I had to head home to begin the teaching program at S.F.U. which like most things in my life flew by. Before I knew it I was graduating again, this time with my teaching certification and heading off into the exciting/scary world of substitute teaching.

After following this path for a year and having a great time but not enough hours, I decided to apply to Footprints – and as luck would have it I landed the job promoting the amazing opportunities that Footprints offers. It was an opportunity that I knew was meant for me since I know first hand how amazing teaching is, and I truly believe that teaching overseas is an experience that opens up your heart to so many great things- I know it did for me.

< Prev		Next >