Tara's Page

First Name:

Tara

Last Name:

Ulmer

Hometown:

Bluffton, IN

School/Organization Name:

Peace Corps

Job Title:

TEFL Volunteer

City:

Tarnaveni

State:

Mures

My Story:

At a young age I was fascinated by history and politics. I was a senior in high school when 9/11 happened. I had the opportunity to be teaching 8th grader U.S. History on that day as part of my internship program. While my students and I ached for our country and fellow citizens, I realized I had a passion for protecting our civil liberties as well as passing along civic knowledge and social responsibility.

I graduated from the University of Southern Indiana in 2007 with degrees in History and Social Studies Education. I wasn't quite ready to be trapped in a job or inside a classroom so I joined the Peace Corps. I joined in order to become a more worldly, tolerant, and knowledgeable history/government teacher, and to help others. In our increasingly globalized world, I believe living in a different culture is a learning experience unlike any other. I'm loving every minute here in Romania, and I'm proud to be part of an organization that truly believes in promoting world peace and friendship...

My work in Peace Corps Romania includes teaching English conversation to students in grades 4-8 and promoting critical thinking skills, teaching adult education classes, building a language lab, promoting civic responsibility and volunteerism, working with an organization for disabled children, volunteering with gypsy children, coaching basketball and starting an intramural after-school sports program.

In the U.S.: I'm involved in several humanitarian campaigns, but most of my time is spent working to stop genocide.

My Ideal School is a Place Where:

Learning and Critical thinking is free to take place in many different forms, and everyone has access to an education.

My Religious Views:

Jesus is my savior and role model.

My Political Views:

Constitutional Communitarian

My Favorite Freedom:

can't I like them all??

My Personal Motto:

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing --Helen Keller.

My Favorite Journey:

Peace Corps Romania and around Eastern Europe

Recommended Reading:

I love to read! Primarily I focus on the classics, historical fiction, political theory, religious, post-modern, and fantasy; but I'm trying to branch out into different genres. In my opinion anything that David McCullough has written is thought-provoking...he really brings out the story part of history. I really enjoy Dave Eggers as well.

Recommended Blogs:

tarapeacecorps.blogspot.com

Quotable:

"Life in the Peace Corps will not be easy. There will be no salary and allowances will be at a level sufficient only to maintain health and meet basic needs. Men and women will be expected to work and live alongside the nationals of the country in which they are stationed—doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the same language.

But if the life will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who participates in the Peace Corps—who works in a foreign land—will know that he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace."
John F. Kennedy, former U.S. President