TalktoCanada.com Teacher of the week – Heather Barnes

by Jillian Zavitz

Heather Barnes

Working with TalktoCanada.com since 2010

Hello! My name is Heather Barnes. I am currently finishing up my degree in International Development at the University of Guelph. I am fascinated by different cultures and languages. My favourite things include bike riding, hiking, Latin American culture, documentaries, theology, painting, reading, beautiful music, and watching “The Office”. The last book I read was a wonderful novel called “A Severe Mercy” by Sheldon Vanauken. If I had to describe myself in three words, they would be: friendly, idealistic, and complicated.

I had my first experience with ESL when I volunteered as a conversation partner for new immigrants to Canada. I loved this position, because it allowed me to learn the stories of people who have come to my country from all over theworld. This experience instilled a dream in me, to make ESL teaching the goal for my future career. Little did I know that the future would come so quickly! Working with TalktoCanada has been a dream come true, and I am enjoying every minute of it! I am making friends, sharing laughs, and learning just as much from my students as they are from me.

It is hard to choose a single motto that I live by, but I would say that “Live well, laugh often, love much” comes close. I am married to a wonderful organic farmer, and we live in a sweet little house in Guelph, although one day we dream of living on an island in the South Pacific.