Danielle

United States
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Activities i am interested in:
I am a Kindergarten teacher and licensed speech and language therapist (terapista de habla) from Dallas, TX. Looking for opportunities to travel over my summer break.
My next destination:
Mexico
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Description
Hello! My name is Danielle, and I absolutely love opportunities to learn, meet new people, and try new things on WorkAway. I have had 3 really wonderful opportunities (Colombia, Guatemala, and Montana USA) and look forward to adding more great experiences to my history.

I live in Dallas, TX where I am a kindergarten teacher and speech-language therapist. I will be traveling during my summer break. I am seeking opportunities that involve community immersion, involve creativity and learning, and also helping others. I have my mind set on western North Carolina (Asheville or surrounding areas), but I am open to possibility. I will be coming from Texas in July.

I have many interests and experiences, and I am always open to learning! Art, music, and travel are my passions. I love to paint, collage, and work with clay. I am learning how to play the piano and I would love to spend summer nights singing around campfires. I can be a quiet person, but one of my deep intentions is to use my voice authentically to relate and connect to others. I am responsible and tidy, a great housemate. I enjoy cooking and sharing meals; I cook mostly vegetarian but I eat meat. I do not drink and enjoy plant medicines only rarely. I am a member of several communities in my home city: ecstatic dance, yoga, ayurveda, and meditation. I live a life centered around wellness, positivity, and love. My highest passions in life are to be guided by purpose and surrounded by beauty. I look forward to connecting with you!
Interests
Books
Art & design
Plant care
Music
Blogging
Drawing & painting
Nature
Yoga / Wellness
Writing
Sustainability
Self development
Politics / Social justice
Outdoor activities
Mountain
Languages
Hiking
Farming
Culture
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Charity work
Camping
Animals
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Art Projects
Some knowledge of:
Being an elderly companion
Languages
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Babysitting and creative play
Teaching
More details about your skills
I have several years experience teaching children ages 2-5. I am an enthusiastic and passionate teacher, with the creativity and patience required when teaching young children. I teach with an emphasis on singing, reading, and playing with the children. My teaching is always play-based and child-led. I have excellent classroom management skills, and some experience teaching in a Spanish-speaking class.

I have taught English in both a professional classroom and also as a WorkAway volunteer. I am more experienced with young children, but I can follow a curriculum and would feel comfortable teaching adults from beginners to advanced.

I am very interested in learning more about sustainable tourism and sustainable living. I have adopted some eco-friendly practices to my life in the USA, and I hope to learn more about how to travel and live more sustainably.

I am a life-long learner. I have many interests, even though I do not have the experience or skill-set. For example, I would love to learn more about sustainable or organic farming, farm-to-table living, bee-keeping, coffee production, and supporting local businesses grow and flourish. I am a firm believer that all people, with all abilities, deserve the opportunity to earn a living in their country, and I would love to help all those I encounter be able to realize their dreams.

I have basic computer skills, excellent writing skills, as well as experience with social media and marketing. I have been practicing yoga and meditation for some years now, but have no direct experience with teaching. I am creative and crafty, and enjoy making jewelry, cards, gifts, and other small items.
Age
37
What else ...
Thank you for reading! I hope to hear from you :)
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

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27 Nov 2020

Left by host (Help build and operate a ...) for Workawayer ()

Danielle was awesome to host. She was proactive in many ways and was always ready to work and work HARD if necessary. At one point she was in charge of the cement mixer and mixing our homemade mortar mix. Not so easy. She was fun to hang out with, an excellent chef and treated the whole crew to some nice bottles of wine more than a few times!! She… read more

(Excellent )

24 Nov 2020

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help build and operate a ...)

This place taught me to practice gratitude sharing, and while this review is coming late -- I have to give my thanks to Chris and the experience.
First of all, Chris is a wonderful host. He has been spending summers in this place for many years, and can show any newbie the ropes. He wants everyone to be comfortable here, to be well fed, to have… read more fun, and to be truly happy. He would check-in with us often to see if we had any "dirty laundry" to air. He listened honestly to feedback, and was very fair with the work.
The work! Yes, it was hard work, but it felt GREAT! I have never felt so strong -- Chris believed in me to mix mortar, to lay cordwood 10-12 feet high, and to teach others to do the same. The work was accompanied by good conversation, excellent music (or the sounds of nature), and the 360 degree views of the forest all around. It really doesn't feel like "work," but just a fun new skill you are learning and perfecting, with the help of great teachers and new friends!
The property and stay was another dream -- I got to stay in a small cordwood cabin with 2 beds, a piano, and a cozy wood-burning stove. I have never slept more peacefully in my life. There is an abundance of space -- whether you want to find some solitude in the forest, or relax in the center of things; there is a place for you. A functioning kitchen with running water, power to keep the food cold in the fridge, washer/dryer for laundry when you need it, and plenty of options for a hot shower (my favorite was the one at the top of the hill) -- This place far exceeds all of your basic needs.
Finally, the "extra" adventures. Chris knew how much I wanted to visit Glacier National Park, and took 6 of us there this summer. We camped 1 night outside the park, and did 2-3 various hikes within the park. You can tell Chris absolutely loves to host and show people a good time, and he was constantly making sure that we were all having the best experience at Glacier. He also took us to a day-trip to a nearby State Park where we went on an awesome hike and a short swim (I didn't swim -- but the boys did!).
Chris -- I have been thinking about you and everyone there so often, and I am so grateful for my time spent there. I am grateful for you encouraging me, welcoming me, and accepting me. I feel like a stronger woman thanks to you and the experience. I hope to come back!! Thank you!

(Excellent )

26 Aug 2019

Left by host for Workawayer ()

What incredible person
Danielle was part of the education area, teaching English to the kids, adults and the staff, the classes were very useful, fun and professional. Danielle prepared the classes with fun and conversational games. All the students learned a lot.

Danielle also help with community area designing, developing and executing… read more

(Excellent )

25 Jul 2019

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help at our language school ...)

My aim in doing a Workaway with the school was tri-fold: to get off the tourist-trail, to improve my Spanish skills, and to give back to a local community. I was able to accomplish all of these things and more during my 4-week stay.

Off the tourist trail: San Carlos is not in the Lonely Planet, and there are essentially no foreign tourists in… read more the town. The locals are incredibly nice and interested in learning about you and are really happy that you are in their town. The town is also incredibly safe, and I never felt uncomfortable walking around alone, any time of day or night. San Carlos is surrounded by beautiful mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, many within a 15-minute walk from the school. Every day is another opportunity to connect with nature, to practice your Spanish in a naturalistic setting with local Colombians, and to just enjoy life in a small pueblo.

Improve Spanish skills: Daniel and Camilo are both incredible Spanish teachers, who are engaging, funny, and very helpful. Not only will you learn a lot of Spanish in the daily classes, but you have all day long to practice and use the Spanish you learned. Whether it's participating in conversations amongst the Colombian staff, practicing conversational during the daily adventures, or just buying groceries or daily necessities around town, you have ample opportunities to apply the skills you've learned in class. Looking back on my Spanish notes, it's amazing all the vocabulary and grammar that I learned in just 4 weeks.

Giving back to the community: As a member of the education and community area, I taught some English classes to children and adults and helped plan and organize community events. I really enjoyed my classes, and I think the kids had a lot of fun with me too :) Being able to join aerobics classes with senior citizens, sing and dance with local kids, and practice conversational skills with locals during language exchanges really gave me a deeper understanding of the people of San Carlos. I am really glad I met so many wonderful children, parents, and locals. I saw many of my students around town and they were always very grateful and happy to see me.

I cannot thank the host enough - for my confidence and growth in Spanish skills, for the wonderful experiences teaching, and for all of the great friendships I made. I cannot recommend it enough!

(Excellent )

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