Mrs. Bantle, who I now call Trish after finishing highschool, was my middle school homeroom teacher, my crosscountry coach, and so much more than that.

She was the one who braided my hair on the bus ride over to every cross country meet.

She was the one who proofread the first chapter of a book that I started writing in middle school. (I never finished the book but it was fun to write!)

Most of all, she listen to me. Even listened to the most minuscule things that I needed to vent about in middle school or high school — no matter what.

And we still keep in touch, pretty regularly, actually. Just to talk and catch up. That’s so special to me.

She, along with some other teachers I’ve had, is part of what inspired me to teach. I want others to feel the way she’s made me felt.

Call me Josie. Welcome. I’m currently student teaching in Taupo, a city in the north island of New Zealand for the next 5 months. I’m staying with a host mother in a house right on Lake Taupo.

This isn’t my first adventure, though! My first significant travel experience was when I was 17. I took my first plane ride half-way around the world (all by myself!) to stay with my heart-sister in Germany for a month. That gave me the urge to see more. Then, I studied abroad in Arizona/Mexico, Tanzania, and Guatemala with some great groups of people. Coming to New Zealand is a completely unique experience from my other adventures abroad, which led me to write about it here. In this blog I plan to write not strictly about traveling, but also my passions, thoughts, and musings, if you will.

I feel driven by passions of yoga, tea, books, sustainability, and a better world. Along with that, my fiancé, Tim, is my everything. He currently teaches fifth grade. Before New Zealand we lived together in a beautiful, little studio apartment in Duluth, Minnesota.

I’m from Midwestern Wisconsin. An only child raised by working and caring parents, a cheese maker (yes, very Wisconsin) and a school bus driver. My grandmother has my heart.

Thanks for reading this far! Let’s keep in touch. There is a nifty subscribe button at the bottom of the home page to get new postings (and nothing else) sent right to your inbox.

Along with that, feel free to email with questions, comments, or your own musings at josephinesteller@gmail.com