Introduction

Hello! My name is Sunshine Wiesner, and I will be publishing this blog in order to document my adventures teaching, living, and traveling in Germany.

I am in Germany because I have been selected from Northern Arizona University to student teach 8^th grade English (which includes drama and yearbook) at Ansbach Middle/High School for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS). This well-reputed school is on the American military base in Ansbach, Bavaria, Germany, where I will also be living during my 16 week placement. My first day of teaching is the 28^th of January, and I will be teaching through the 24^th of May, 2013.

While in Germany I intend to achieve goals of various sorts, the primary of which is to develop into a skilled professional educator. Teaching and learning are my passion, and I want to inspire students not only to read and write, but also to pursue person growth and excellence of character. Under the tutelage of Stormy Lucas, my fabulous cooperating teacher, I hope to become an outstanding educator.  

Another of my goals is to learn about and participate in German culture and traditions. My heritage is primarily Bavarian, German, so in a way this experience is about returning to my homeland and my roots. In preparation for this trip I have begun to study the German language, and hope to become proficient in speaking the language before I return. I also plan on exploring the land; walking the Romantic Road, sleeping in the Black Forest, roaming the streets of Berlin, and gaping in awe at the Neuschwanstein Castle are all high on my list of to-dos.

Thank you for reading this blog, and I'm glad you're coming along for the adventure!