Denise

Travel information

I am currently

Description

I am happiest when I'm exploring, adventuring and discovering new places, new people and new experiences. Have just spent 4 days hiking solo through the Cesky Raj in the north of the Czech Republic. From Sept 2023 I'm taking a long detour from the UK to settle eventually back in my home state of Western Australia - visiting as many countries and cultures as possible across Europe, Eurasia, Scandinavia, North America and across the Pacific. I want to meet people, share my skills and contribute to people's lives in practical, helpful ways. I'm Australian who has been teaching in an international school in the UK for many years, loving the vibrancy of the rich multi-cultural community. I'm a houseparent in our junior boarding house as well and value the feeling of community that it gives me. I'm also a Mindfulness teacher and practitioner, with a wide variety of leisure interests. Retiring from teaching in July, I'm excited about making connections with people from all over, and heading off into lands unknown so far to me.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent

More details about my language interests
very happy to share my love of English.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:  

Being an elderly companion

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Animal Care

Hospitality/Tourism

Charity Work

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Able to teach about:  

Gardening

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Teaching

More details about your skills

I'm about to leave my role as a Teacher in the middle school of an international school in England. I've been here for 17 years, after arriving in the UK 20 years ago. I love being part of an international community and the diversity of cultures that it offers.
I have quite a breadth and depth of skills to offer, acquired during a range of careers and life experiences. I'm an efficient and quick typist, have a great phone manner, excellent customer skills. I waitressed my way through teacher training. I've been a National Marketing Manager for both a chain of restaurants and for a national health insurance company. As both a primary and secondary school teacher, I'm adept with planning, organisation, behaviour management, and all the other myriad of qualities needed to be an effective educator. Through the Open University I trained as a mediator and for four years volunteered as a neighbourhood mediator. I'm certified to teach Mindfulness to both children and adults. I was a single parent to two gorgeous boys for much of my adult life so am used to running a household, budgeting, cooking etc. I'm vegetarian and was the owner/operator of a vegetarian cafe in Sydney so have experience in the wide range of skills needed to do that successfully. I'm a creative problem-solver, critical thinker, passionate advocate for human rights, resilient, with a wacky sense of humour, love to read, interested in people's stories - who they are and what motivates them.

Age

69

What else ...

I'm Australian but have been living in the UK for 20 years. Perth is my hometown, and I also lived in Sydney for 20 years before moving to the UK.
I hope my age won't work against me - I'm active, healthy and full of energy , and enjoy being busy with quiet times as well.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  Penicillin

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  Special dietary requirements
  Lacto-ovo Vegetarian