Laurie Furman

Laurie Furman

E-Mail: Laurie_Furman@smtpgw.sdcs.k12.ca.us

I am currently a student teacher at O'Farrell Community School. I am a studying to be a High School English teacher.

Background

Although I was born in Illinois, I consider myself to be a native Californian. I grew up in and around the heart of the Silicon Valley, San Jose, CA. I moved to San Diego in 1986 to attend college and have never looked back. After graduating from UCSD in 1990, I continued to work as a supervisor for UPS. I also used my degree working for the YMCA Juvenile Crisis Program. Although my focus at the Y was Crisis Counseling, I was also very involved in their Therapuetic Outdoor Program. Unfortunately, the program was cut due to the lack of grant money. My career took a 180 degree turn when I decided to return to my roots and go into electronics. I worked as a Product Manager for an electronics distributor for 2 years. I quickly decided that I was not happy being a yuppie. I saved my salary to finance my return to school and pursue a second B.A. in English and a Teaching Credential.

Interests, Activities & Plans

I am just starting the student teaching program at O'Farrell. Although I am sure that I will be extremely busy, I am very interested in becoming involved in extra curricular writing programs. I am an avid reader and strongly believe in the benefits of creative writing. I have done some creative writing on my own. However, most of my hobbies keep my outdoors. I am an serious bicyclist and spend many hours training. I also run and lift weights during the week. I love to backpack and rockclimb when I have a chance. For the most part, any sporting event interests me except baseball. Hopefully, one day I will be able to parlay my love of literature and involvement in sports into a job as a High School English teacher and possibly a coach.

Other Interesting Things

As a poor student, I have become a frustrated world traveler. Although I have had the pleasure of visiting the UK, Greece and Singapore, I want to do more traveling. My first stop would be Nepal and Tibet for some serious trekking. I have an interest in Eastern religions and culture and would love to experience them first hand. India and China also have a strong pull. A not so secret dream of mine would be to climb some of the world's highest peaks. At lower elevations, I would also spend time on the Appalachian Trail. For now, you can find me hiking the Eastern Sierras, cross-country skiing in Washington or planning future tandem bicylce trips. A non-academic future goal of mine is to have a large dog/ dogs. Oh, one more thing...I absolutely despise pantyhose!

Last updated on Wednesday, August 16, 1995.

This is a personal home page and does not represent the opinions of San Diego State University or O'Farrell Community School.

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