Me
So my name is Jessi Gore and I am not as glamorous as this picture of me, but I try sometimes... During my last semester of classes (Spring 2014) I was offered a job, teaching of course (homeschooling actually, and guess what I was homeschooled!), that was my major at Northern Arizona University (NAU), GO Lumberjacks! I studied Special and Elementary Education (NAU is a great teacher prep college!) and just finished with all my classes (it was the hardest semester I had ever had) excluding a semester of student teaching, which I have currently postponed until I am in the states again. The job was no ordinary job though... it would be taking place in Mali (WHAT?!?), a country located in West Africa. So it went from being a teaching job, to the most exciting teaching job ever! I had to talk to the family in need of a teacher to see if they would have me as their sons' teacher (me teaching three boys, I got this!). They said yes, they would have me! So I am going to Mali to teach their children for a school year!
I have been out of the country before, most recently Jordan, where I worked with Syrian refugees who are there seeking help and running from harm. It was a heart and mind changer, I met many people who I will stay in contact with for a very long time. Hearing their stories gave me the urge to do something more long term, not knowing what yet, but hoping something would come up. International travel is something that is familiar to me and I have a new experience every time I leave the US. I have worked in churches, orphanages, gone into homes, had enough tea for the rest of my life and met some of the most incredible people, families, friends along the way. I cannot wait to see what a year will show me.
I am now a person, prepping for my first year of teaching, soon to be a teacher. I am nervous, but excited and cannot wait to share my story with anyone willing to listen. I am about to wander, lots of wandering I am sure, into the unknown, yes, but not alone as I travel there will be many people with me and I am sure I will meet many people along the way. I am the worst packer, I mean the worst (I over pack, I forget everything and still take too much, not sure how that is possible, but it is ask my parents) and I stress out about everything, but that also means I am always the over-prepared one, well sometimes. I am still in shock. I am going to Africa, to teach, when did my life ever include magic before? I guess it does now, this is magical. I am moving to Mali to teach, and to learn and maybe change my perspective a little bit.
I have been out of the country before, most recently Jordan, where I worked with Syrian refugees who are there seeking help and running from harm. It was a heart and mind changer, I met many people who I will stay in contact with for a very long time. Hearing their stories gave me the urge to do something more long term, not knowing what yet, but hoping something would come up. International travel is something that is familiar to me and I have a new experience every time I leave the US. I have worked in churches, orphanages, gone into homes, had enough tea for the rest of my life and met some of the most incredible people, families, friends along the way. I cannot wait to see what a year will show me.
I am now a person, prepping for my first year of teaching, soon to be a teacher. I am nervous, but excited and cannot wait to share my story with anyone willing to listen. I am about to wander, lots of wandering I am sure, into the unknown, yes, but not alone as I travel there will be many people with me and I am sure I will meet many people along the way. I am the worst packer, I mean the worst (I over pack, I forget everything and still take too much, not sure how that is possible, but it is ask my parents) and I stress out about everything, but that also means I am always the over-prepared one, well sometimes. I am still in shock. I am going to Africa, to teach, when did my life ever include magic before? I guess it does now, this is magical. I am moving to Mali to teach, and to learn and maybe change my perspective a little bit.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
J.R.R. Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien