denisemhanson

I'm a 25-year-old VGS patient. Had my surgery June 25, 2014. I was born in Westchester, Illinois, which is a suburb of Chicago. My family and I moved to Alpharetta when I was 7 years old. Since then, I have lived in Madrid, Spain; St. Louis, Missouri; Charleston, West Virginia; Cumming, Georgia; and now Woodstock/Holly Springs, GA. I began taking Spanish in 4th grade, because at that time, it was required. I continued all the way through middle school, high school, and my final year in college at Saint Louis University. While in high school (magnet school for math/science & visual/performing arts), I focused on acting and technical theater. My greatest joy in theater was acting as stage manager for the school productions. I learned and matured a lot during those years. There, I also found the inspiration for my future aspirations. Señora Nott made me truly fall in love with Spanish and helped me learn that I wanted to become a Spanish teacher. It is after her that I model myself and my Spanish classroom. During the summer following my junior year of high school, I attended the Governor's Honors Program (GHP) in Valdosta. I spent several hours 6 days a week learning about education (my "minor") and Spanish (my "major"). I met some amazing people there and improved my Spanish more than I ever thought could be possible in just 6 short weeks. Everyone asks why I chose Saint Louis University (SLU) for college. Really, it's quite simple. I had no idea where I wanted to go. All I knew was that I wanted to major in Spanish. I received a piece of mail from SLU's campus in Madrid, Spain, asking me to study abroad. Not only did that sound like an amazing opportunity, but they even offered me a bit of financial aid! How could I pass that up?! I spent my entire freshman year of college in Spain. First semester, I lived with a host family, along with 3 other girls from SLU. Second semester, I lived in a SLU-rented (but still "real") apartment with 6 other girls from SLU. While there, I was able to travel to Segovia, Sevilla, Toledo, and Paris. My one and only wish about studying abroad is that I had done it later in college. Moving away from home, having to make new friends, needing the learn the ropes of college... all in a NEW COUNTRY was a bit much for me to handle. But I did it. And the experience was incredible. After returning to Missouri from Spain, I spent my remaining 3 years at their home campus, where I earned a Bachelor's in Spanish and a Bachelor's in Education, graduating in 2011. My now-fiancee, Eric, proposed to me at my college graduation dinner in front of friends and family. Clearly, I said yes. Then we decided I'd move in with him in Charleston, West Virginia and find a teaching job. Well, I'd try anyway. I lived with him for 5 months and couldn't find a job. Then he got deployed to Afghanistan (he was in the Army until recently) in April of 2012. At that point, I decided it was better for me to move back to Georgia to be near friends and family and try once again to find a job. I didn't find one right away. But last minute, before the start of the 2012-13 school year, I got a call from a high school nearby. One of their Spanish teachers had to go on medical leave. Lucky for me, I got a month-long substitute position actually teaching Spanish. It was such a wonderful experience, and it just reaffirmed that teaching was what I KNEW I wanted to do with my life. Once that gig was up, I immediately got a call from my current principal. They needed a full-time Spanish teacher. What?! This is it! I got a job! I started there in September of 2012, and my first year was INCREDIBLE. Thankfully, I was re-hired. I could not be more blessed. This school is full of wonderful students, teachers, staff, and administration. Eric returned from Afganistan in February of 2013, surprising me at school! We lived in Cumming from the time I came back to Georgia until September 2013. He was honorably discharged from the Army during the Summer of 2013 due to medical problems caused by his several deployments. Since I was re-hired, we bought a house in Woodstock, GA to be closer to where I work. Do we have a kids? In December 2013, we adopted a puppy from the humane society. We're not sure what she is (looks to us like a pitbull - she's light brindle colored), but her name is Peaches, and she is the sweetest baby ever! Besides teaching Spanish, I love spending time with my doggie and I enjoy photography. Teaching is my passion, though, and I love my students with all my heart (well, what's left of it after Eric and Peaches). Nice to meet everyone! Glad to have this support system!