It’s a long way from up-state New York to Oaxaca. But it happens that I was sent here, to Oaxaca. I’m one of those who steps off the bus and says, “Yes, this is where I’m supposed to be.” But it wasn’t until two visits later that I became a resident of this fair city, in 1977. Within 2 weeks of my arrival, I met my future husband and was employed at the school where I would work for the next 20 years.
I was born in up-state New York, studied at William Smith College, New Mexico State University, (where my fascination with Mexico began), and Boston University. My professional career is in ESL (English as a second language), and the culture, arts and traditions of Mexico are my passion.
After working 20 years at the Instituto Tecnologico de Oaxaca, my children were out of the nest and I was ready for a change. I call it semi-retirement. Coordinating the Language Department at the Universidad Jose Vasconcelos de Oaxaca gives structure and commitment to my life, while I have time to pursue other interests, paint and travel a bit more. I also co-manage my husband’s small hotel, La Casa de la Tia, in downtown Oaxaca.
My immediate future includes writing about this fascinating country, preparing curriculum packets for high-school Spanish teachers, and finishing a text for students of Spanish, based on cultural material. To do this, I’ll be happily researching first-hand the riches of Oaxaca.