Alumni Spotlight – Naomi Hodges

We recently asked alumna Naomi Hodges to tell us what she has been doing since leaving the program, and what some of her fondest memories were from her time teaching in the United States. Read below for Naomi’s responses!

Reflecting on her experience teaching in the U.S.

Q: What grade level did you teach?
A: I taught 4th grade from 2015-2018.

Q: What school(s) did you teach at?
A: Gray’s Creek Elementary in Fayetteville, N.C.

Q: What inspired you to apply to teach in the U.S.?
A: My love of travel! I was one year old the first time we came to the states for a holiday. I also did Camp America while I was in university and I’ve wanted to live in the U.S. ever since.

Q: What did you enjoy most about your time teaching in the U.S.?
A: Learning so much about myself! As a teacher and a person. I’ve grown in both areas and I love the life I have built here.

What life looks like now

Q: Where are you now? Are you living in your home country, another country, or did you go somewhere else?
A: I currently live with my husband and little boy in Texas.

Q: Are you currently teaching? If not, what else are you doing?
A: I currently teach 5th grade in Texas!

Q: Tell us a little bit about your family! Do you have a spouse and/or children?
A: I met my husband in Fayetteville and we moved to Texas 3 years ago. We have a wonderful little boy named Christopher who is our absolute world!

Share 3-5 facts about your time teaching in the U.S. Think about favorite memories, travel experiences, special moments, accomplishments, or other things that happened during your time with the program.

• I’ve loved going on road trips in the U.S.: S.C., D.C., and T.X. just to name a few!
• During my time with Participate Learning, I enjoyed being a local advisor and helping new teachers get settled.
• A few of us Ambassador Teachers (formerly, VIF teachers) went on a wonderful cruise the first Christmas I was in the states.

Are you a former Participate Learning alumna or alumnus? Visit our ambassador alumni page for resources and to stay connected to other teachers who completed the program through our community of practice.