John Zannon

United States
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Activities i am interested in:
Sustainable Living (Farm work, building, etc)
Nature
Language Learning (French, German, any)
Teaching (I'm an English teacher)
Art (poetry/writing, or others)
Description
Hi all,

My name's John. I'm 24, and I just graduated from Naropa University with a BA in Education and Environmentalism. I work as a middle school English/language arts teacher and I love it. I'm from the United States- the Pacific Northwest and for the last three years, Colorado. People describe me as warm, patient, engaged, and wholistic.

I'm on my second round of international travel and excited to have new experiences and meet new people. The months before coming to Europe I was driving throughout the Western United States, enjoying the national parks and sights on the road. Since Being here I have been working on farms and sustainable building projects in Spain and travelling through France.

Things I'm excited about right now:
Nature & living sustainably off the land
Authors Bill Plotkin, Michel Paver, C.G. Jung, Joseph Cambell
French and German languages
Psychology and self-actualization (become the best version of ourselves)

I'm traveling to Europe to learn about green building, learn languages and about cultures, meet people, and take some time away from the conventional hustle-bustle culture of the world. I love to work and apply myself to projects I believe in with people I care about. It is truly my happy place (that's why I'm a teacher!). I'm looking for workaways that offer meaningful work, and safe, joyful environments. I am more than ready to contribute my love and passion to projects I believe in.

I'm at my happiest when I'm doing my life's work and I'm around people who are dedicated to their life's work, whatever that may be. I take good care of myself: good food, good sleep, pacing myself, and having meaningful experiences. It's important to me that the people I spend time with are also trying to care for themselves and our environment. I think that when we put in the work and stay open to grace, great things can happen.

Character reference:
Lucinda Drake, a longtime close friend (phone or email on request)

Professional Reference:
Collin Currier, supervising/mentor teacher (phone or email on request)
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Adventure sports
Writing
Sustainability
Self development
Politics / Social justice
Plant care
Photography
Performing arts
Outdoor activities
Nature
Music
Mountain
Languages
History
Hiking
Gardening
Farming
Drawing & painting
Dancing

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Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
German: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I would love to learn about any language, especially French and German, and I am happy to support others with English Language acquisition. I am a native speaker and have a BA in Education.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Charity Work
Animal Care
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Hospitality/Tourism
Art Projects
Able to teach about:
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Helping around the house
Languages
Teaching
More details about your skills
- I'm a strong self-starter and hard worker when the expectations are clear.
- I have four years of group leadership experience. I tend to make a good leader.
- I'm a really level-headed person and keep my cool when things go unexpectedly.
- I'm a great cook and baker and have experience with allergy-friendly food prep. (I have some stellar Gluten-free recipes.)
- I'm handy and a good problem solver.
- I have a BA in K-6th Education and love working with kids. Especially older, in the 11-18 range. I am a 6th grade English Language Arts teacher when not traveling.
- Basic French language skills (I have a lot of space to improve though).
- I'm a good driver.
- Light construction and woodworking ability.
- I can lift heavy things safely.
Age
25
What else ...
It's important to me that my stay feels like a good fit for everyone. I am more than happy to go through a careful interview process to make sure that happens for both parties. A win-win is what we're going for. It's important that where I am staying has good sleeping conditions, regular meals (or opportunities for me to make my own meals- I'm happy to cook), and an overall safe environment. These are non-negotiables for me, and I won't be able to give you my best if they aren't present.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

Feedback

24 Feb 2024

Left by host (Self-discovery, eco buiding, ...) for Workawayer (John Zannon)

We where so happy to recieve John who brought a very nice friend along Zach.
John calm and constructive attitude was a great asset for the project and a great support in this intense situation where we had to host more volunteers then we imagined we would. We where touched by his kindness and understanding and his skills in communication,… read more

(Excellent )

22 Jan 2024

Left by Workawayer (John Zannon) for host (Self-discovery, eco buiding, ...)

I stayed in Orgiva with Ana and Bruno for five weeks. I had a great time in this beautiful region of Spain, always surrounded by good people. Even though I finished my travels a while ago and I'm just now getting to write this, the meaningful memories are still abundantly present in my heart and mind. The things that stand out most to me from my… read more time on the Finca are the rich experiences in nature, the baskets of fresh fruits and vegetables (many of them new to me!), the hard work of building with cob, the shared meals, and the pleasant forays into the sweet little town of Orgiva itself.

By far, however, the most special part of my time was the connections I made and the community we shared. There were around I think 9-10 or so Workawayers at a time, and I loved getting to meet so many wonderful people and make connections I hope will last far into the future. Additionally, I often appreciated the way that Bruno and Ana set things up such that we were encouraged to connect in ways that were heart-centered. I also enjoyed very much spending time with Ana's daughter Aluna and Bruno's daughter Alma!

The period I visited for was the busiest Ana and Bruno had had, with more people to manage each day than they were used to and a lot of things to keep track of. Things were not always seamless, and I sometimes felt frustrated. But, they were open to feedback and made adjustments to meet workawayers' needs as things came up. I think having the capacity to hear feedback and make adjustments is such a cornerstone of growth and flourishing communities, so I am glad to have seen it at the Finca! They were also open to giving feedback- which is equally important! When I left, there were many exciting things taking root, and I imagine these have grown.

I recommend this Workaway to anyone looking for a more down-to-earth experience, abundant time in nature, and an opportunity to connect with others in a slower-paced context. Prospective workawayers should also be clear about the community's expectations regarding style of life and substances- I saw many workawayers come in not having quite understood what kind of space Bruno and Ana intend to create. It is more intentional and I would say monastic, perhaps, than some are used to. If you are looking for this kind of experience, it will be perfect. Ask either of them for clarification and I am sure they will happily do so!

Thank you Ana and Bruno for the stay, and I hope all is well for you!

(Excellent )