Well, I've done it! After 28 years of service teaching students from Alvin to El Paso, Laredo to Pearland with a year in HISD, to boot, I have decided to retire! However, I did not say QUIT! I am retiring from the Texas Public School System and going to try something new. I have accepted a job in an international school at The Uskudar American Academy in Istanbul, which is a private Turkish school. It is a bilingual school so all of the classes are taught in both English and Turkish--including in the library! I will be teaching library classes to students in PreK through 8th grade with 3 other librarians and will be working closely with the High School Librarians.
This will truly be an experience: exciting, thrilling and just a little bit scary! We will be leasing our house, (selling some pieces of furniture, storing the rest in those packing PODs, kicking our youngest son out of the house (don't feel too bad for him, he is 27 years old--and he will be taking one of our cats with him!), grabbing up our suitcases full of clothes, a few boxes of teaching supplies as well as the cat that nobody wanted (he is very sweet--to us!) and catching a plane to Turkey! WOW!
My husband, Steve is excited, too. He will be able to attend University (on-line or at the English speaking campus in Istanbul), he will also be in charge of shopping at the grocery store and street markets, volunteering at the school and doing our travel planning! He is a little worried that he won't have much to do.... HA! He just doesn't realize how busy he will be, does he.
Now it is time for The Traveling Librarian to get busy and begin to do all the things it will take for us to be ready to leave in mid-August.
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Oh what tales The Little Mermaid could tell... Learning about Han Christian Anderson's life and stories 'Outside the Library' during last year's trip to Denmark as a 'Fund for Teachers' Fellow. I can't wait to learn Turkish stories and tales!!
Follow my adventures as I work, learn and play in Istanbul and around the world! Living up to my nickname, The Traveling Librarian, I will be moving to Istanbul, Turkey with my husband, Steve, to become one of the librarians at the Uskudar American Academy. Come with me 'Outside the Library' into the real world of adventure and learning!
Not in Turkey Yet...
Oh what tales The Little Mermaid could tell... Learning about Han Christian Anderson's life and stories 'Outside the Library' during last year's trip to Denmark as a 'Fund for Teachers' Fellow. I can't wait to learn Turkish stories and tales!!
Number of people who have 'traveled' Outside the Library:
Travel the World With Mrs. Williamson, Librarian!
I have been around the world to learn about culture, art, and history. I believe that if I can experience 'real time' learning I can bring this knowledge to my students and make the world come alive for them! I have already traveled to:
Tokyo, Japan--to study the culture and education system as a Fulbright Memorial Fund Fellow.
Emas National Park, Brazil--on an Earthwatch scientific study of Brazilan predatory mammals.
France, Germany and Denmark--on an independent study of Fairy Tales as a Fund for Teachers Fellow.
China: Hong Kong & Beijing--to learn about Chinese culture.
Amsterdam--to find the roots of Vincent Van Gogh.
Around the Mediterranean--to experience historical sites (and to celebrate our 25th wedding aniversery).
Mexico--to see whales in action.
The Islands of the Caribbean--to experience island culture.
Come with me as I travel to Turkey and beyond, to learn about the ancient historical roots of Western Civilization. In the words of children's author, Hans Christian Anderson: "To move, to breath, to fly, to float, To gain all while you give, To roam the roads of lands remote: To travel is to live."
Tokyo, Japan--to study the culture and education system as a Fulbright Memorial Fund Fellow.
Emas National Park, Brazil--on an Earthwatch scientific study of Brazilan predatory mammals.
France, Germany and Denmark--on an independent study of Fairy Tales as a Fund for Teachers Fellow.
China: Hong Kong & Beijing--to learn about Chinese culture.
Amsterdam--to find the roots of Vincent Van Gogh.
Around the Mediterranean--to experience historical sites (and to celebrate our 25th wedding aniversery).
Mexico--to see whales in action.
The Islands of the Caribbean--to experience island culture.
Come with me as I travel to Turkey and beyond, to learn about the ancient historical roots of Western Civilization. In the words of children's author, Hans Christian Anderson: "To move, to breath, to fly, to float, To gain all while you give, To roam the roads of lands remote: To travel is to live."
Followers
About Me
- Mrs. Williamson, Librarian
- I am an educator who loves to seek knowledge in the 'real' world by traveling to where the action is or was--by traveling. I have been a teacher and librarian for 28 years. I am married to Steve and have 2 grown sons.