FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I had always wanted to see Equatorial Africa and be a teacher there. While I made it to Tunisia, in North Africa, that was a long way from Equatorial Africa. In fact, it was Pre-Saharan Africa. I did, however, get to teach for two years while I was there. Later, an opportunity came up to teach in Cameroon so I took that assignment without a moment's hesitation. It was a dream come true; it was right on the Equator! As an added bonus, I would end up teaching Teachers of English as a Foreign Language and was able to travel all over Central Cameroon holding teaching workshops. While working, I got to see some of the most beautiful and breathtaking landscapes in the Cameroonian rain forest. After I came back home, I finished getting my teaching credential and have been teaching ever since.
- Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
I have one middle school student who is receiving remedial instruction in math. He is in the 8th grade so he is getting ready to graduate to high school. Earlier he was in danger of not graduating because his G.P.A. was too low. His primary problem was that he was just not focusing and he didn't seem to care. I kept working with him and he slowly improved in his math skills. He then began to improve in his other subject areas. He is now going to graduate with his classmates. I believe that that initial change came from his realization that he was in danger of not graduating and that was enough to get him motivated. I had little to do with his epiphany, I was just there to see the transformation and it was my pleasure to be a part of it.