My #1 motivation to come back to Brazil was OLM. This school has a special place in my heart. I love the community of teachers and students and the relationships we share. I felt so welcomed the first time I was here, and I look at OLM as a ``second family.´´ I think there is something special about OLM students, so that is why I wanted to come back and teach. I am thrilled to teach the class of 2020 again, but I am just as excited to teach two new groups of students. 

When I was younger I did not want to become a teacher. I had a few things I wanted to be, but I remember being in 2nd grade and wanting to become an astronaut. I was always so interested in the planets and stars. I guess I am glad I did not become an astronaut because being away from home in a foreign country seems very far -- can you imagine living on a different planet?!  I decided I wanted to teach math when I was in High School, which was about 10 years ago. I would tutor and help my friends who struggled and they always told me that I was good at explaining the content. I guess that is where my passion for math and teaching began!

The Carioca lifestyle is different from the Chicagoan lifestyle that I am used to. Cariocas are very people-centered. To me, they seem to put others first before anything -- I love that. Where I am from, sometimes we get caught up in our work and we forget to appreciate one another or make time for those we care about. I love when I approach a group of Cariocas and I am always greeted with two kisses on the cheek, a hug, or a handshake, even if the person is a complete stranger! And I think it is great that when someone leaves they make sure to say goodbye to everyone in the same manner. I would not describe Cariocas as ``care-free,´´ but I would describe the way of life here as people spending their time to be appreciative of the people that are most important to them.