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October 12, 2026 Rainy and cloudy days in Southern California are far from the norm—especially after weeks of unseasonably humid, higher-than-normal temperatures—and today they have a funny way of shifting the atmosphere. As I sit here editing these blog posts and adding to my Global Education Guide, a wave of cozy melancholy has settled over me. Sorting through thousands of photos and polishing these reflections makes it painfully clear how much I miss the daily rhythm of Mo

It's been nearly 5 months since my return from Morocco, 7 months since the Fulbright Global Symposium, and a year since the course work for the Teachers for Global Classrooms began...and what a wild ride. To say that I have continued to grow is an understatement. And the ways in which I've grown through this experience can't be fully expressed, I don't know if I have the words to describe this past year, 2026 especially. And me being wordless doesn't come easily - Language Ar

This project and reflection would not be complete if I did not honor and include the best travel mates any traveler could ever have. I could not have dreamed up a better group to experience this grand adventure with. Team Safi - from our first Zoom meeting back in January, we immediately connected and, dare I say, became siblings of the soul. We texted nearly every day, shared ideas & documents via a shared drive, and video called every 2-3 weeks, which also included our fab

It's August, 3 days of the 2026-27 school year have passed, and while I thought I'd being finished with my Global Guide well before school began, here I am typing away, getting lost in the memories, not quite at the finish line, yet. I've been asking myself why that is? Why I haven't made the time to sit down and reflect? To share all that I've learned? To record and share the memories, laughs, food, knowledge, and love of a new-to-me land? After much inner dialogue and soul

April 1, 2026 All I can say is WOW!!! I really cannot find the words to accurately describe what I experienced today, and the pictures don't do it justice. Professor Pineapple-ton reporting live from Casablanca, Morocco. It's my turn to post my commentary and experience on this most amazing of educational adventures - or as I like to call it, "Ed-ventures". Special thanks to Fulbright TGC, IREX, and MACECE for welcoming me into the fold. And an extra special shout out to my n

April 4, 2026 We boarded a train in Casablanca and headed down to El Jadida, where we were met with greetings and good cheer by our host teacher, Professor Hakkar. He gave us a tour of the city and headed towards our weekend residence, a spectacular riad in the old part of town. A hidden jewel full of history, hand-carved plaster walls, marble, and my new favorite, Moroccan mint tea. The grandiose staircase elegantly curved to the second floor where a palatial suite awaited o

"Choose to be optimistic - it feels better" The words greet me as I step off the elevator heading to my new room in the bustling, vibrant city that is Casablanca. I still can't believe I have been awarded the great honor of representing the US as a Citizen Diplomat through the Fulbright TGC program. I've been pinching myself since July 2025 when I opened the acceptance email. Even more so since I boarded my flight in Los Angeles heading to Rabat, with a layover in JFK to meet

UNESCO World Heritage Site - Chellah Bittersweet. Today summed up in one word. A day filled with excitement, discovery, and laughter which ended with tears. As I sit in my hotel room listening to the sounds of Rabat, sipping tea, and drying said tears - I realize these tears are bittersweet too. They are tears of joy at the memories I'm making on my grand "ed-venture" with an amazing group of new friends; and at the same time, they are tears of sadness as I video called home

4 school days and 7 sleeps remain until departure to meet with Team Morocco at JFK, and together we fly into Casablanca. Such a mix of emotions, tasks, and preparation to ensure everything is in place and running smoothly while I fulfill my dream of being a Fulbright Fellow. It's something I looked into and wished for as an undergraduate student, but was too afraid to try. Very grateful for this 2nd chance and the support I'm receiving to pursue this opportunity. Overcoming t

It's the day after the Fulbright TGC Pre-Departure webinar with the wonderful staff from IREX and my amazing travel mates. This experience and trip finally feel real; yet, it's still hard to believe that in 2 weeks from today, I will be wrapping up my first day in Rabat. I wonder what that day will be like as I run around packing, lesson planning, and organizing the things I leave on pause while I enjoy the trip of a lifetime. Juggling last-minute lesson plans and packing lis