Debbie Smiga

Ciao! 

I grew up in a home where parts of sentences were spoken in English, while the rest were occasionally spoken in Friulano.  My father is from the province of Pordenone, in northeastern Italy.  Friulano is the romance language of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.  As I think back to my childhood, I realize how fortunate I was to have been raised in a bilingual home.  I adopted my grandmother's love of two countries, native culture, zest for life, and quest for adventure.   

My earliest memories are of helping my grandmother to read important documents.  Often, I  eagerly interpreted newsworthy events to her in order to share my English proficiency.  For as long as I live, I will recall hearing my grandmother say, "close the lights" before she went to bed.  Many times, I reminded her to say, "turn off the lights" instead.  As an adult, I now wonder if her choice of words laid the foundation for my future profession.  My grandmother was the most influential person in my life.       

Global travels have taught me to react appropriately in diverse cultural and social situations.  A colleague invited me to lecture about Mayan ruins in Mexico, along with my experience in western Turkey, which drew me to the ESL profession.  As a child, I was devoted to my Italian relatives.  As an adult, I remain devoted to a global community.  

I promise to be welcoming, approachable, and treat all of your guests with dignity and respect.  I will strive to make exercising fun, while teaching the power of words, the gift of self-expression, and the artistic beauty that results when the two are combined.

Namaste.