Today we’d like to introduce you to Lillie Marshall.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been a public school teacher in Boston since 2003 and LOVE it… and I also run two popular travel blogs, (which features my own travels), and www.TeachingTraveling.com (which highlights the exploits and advice of other “Teacher-Travelers”).
I began my sites in 2009 when I took a leave of absence from teaching to travel the world alone for a year. When I left the country, I was burned out on education and New England, but getting that global perspective (particularly the months spent teaching in Ghana) renewed my passion for being an educator, and have informed and strengthened my teaching in Boston ever since I returned home. That time abroad also made me realize how much I love my home city!
Despite having roots in Boston now (including two young and mischievous kids), I’m still able to travel during school vacations, and I’ve now written and published over 750 articles on my main site (AroundTheWorldL.com) alone! My sites now receive over 1,500 readers a day, and I explain to my students that when I teach them writing, it’s something I’m practicing myself, too!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every stage has its own highs and challenges, right? But keeping that in mind helps calm some of the stresses. I refuse to give in to the dual pressures of, “Enjoy every minute — it [whatever it is] goes so fast!” plus, “When are you going to [next life stage a woman is supposed to achieve]?”
We are where we are and will get to where we want to get, and it’s all good.
I type this as my son is jumping on my legs. Society would advise that I both, “Enjoy every minute” and simultaneously ask, “When is your son going to start Kindergarten?” However, instead of listening to those voices, I’m going to finish writing this sentence (happy and fulfilled Mama is a happy child!) and then tackle my little guy in a bear hug. We are where we are and will get to where we want to get, and it’s all good!
What should we know about Around the World “L” and Teaching Traveling? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
All of my writing, photography, and art — on AroundTheWorldL.com & TeachingTraveling.com & my @WorldLillie social media stream — is about the joy, color, and beauty of the world. I also have a particular penchant for technicolor rainbows in architecture, nature, and clothing.
Because I’m a teacher, I’m always thinking about how to teach lessons through my articles in ways that are accessible, enjoyable, and hopeful. For example, so many negative words have been written about schools in America, so to contrast this, I chose to share this amazing moment from my middle school students (illustrated by technicolor vibrant from around the city): https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2017/11/24/inspiring-creative-middle-school/
Another example: I adore Boston and am steadily featuring its gems — as in this article about Jamaica Pond: https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2016/09/25/jamaica-pond/
I always want to leave readers with a feeling of refreshment, illumination, and an excitement to take the next step, For example, in this article about how to exercise more https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2018/08/07/how-to-exercise-more/ there is a clear next step to take after reaching the end of the piece, and it’s been wonderful to hear from readers about the results they’ve gotten after it.
Ultimately, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE writing for people around the world to read, and it makes me so happy that I never want to stop doing it. People ask how I ended up reaching 750 articles published, and that’s the answer!
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I’m particularly excited these days about the evolution of women in leadership roles at all levels of society. We are living in a time when women are redefining what it means to combine taking charge of collaborating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/
- Email: WorldLillie@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldlillie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aroundtheworldL/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/WorldLillie
- Other: https://www.teachingtraveling.com/
Image Credit:
Lillie Marshall
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