Naomi Woods

Naomi Woods is an educator on a mission, help others fulfill their potential. Whether it is in the classroom, while volunteering, or mentoring you can find her motivating others.

Not many years ago, I dreamed of an education and traveling around the world. However, at that time in my life it just didn't seem possible. I knew that it would take a drastic change to achieve my dreams. I realized I didn’t have any of the skills to get there or make it happen, and needed to find a way to get to the point where I did. I decided right then that my perspective needed to change from focusing on what I didn’t have to focusing on what I did have. I made a comprehensive plan to change my life. I read books by candle light about other people who had succeeded and found a common denominator amongst all of them: struggle, tragedy, and pain before success. I decided that I could choose destiny and find a way to bring meaning and purpose to my life or continue to live by chance and be powerless, continuing to allow circumstances to decide my path.

I made a list of resources and contacts, and launched a campaign to change my life. A month later, I found a temporary job. Soon, I was offered a position as a Supervisor/Team Leader in Americorps, a position which lit a fire that burned deep within me to change the world.

I have since traveled the world, skydived, white water rafted, took a ride in a hot air balloon, swam with the whales at Sea World, got lost at sea in Colombia, trapped in a mud slide, and more. I completed my final class for a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and have started working on Master's in Education (English as a Second Language/International Literacy). So what do you do when you have successfully changed your life? Work to change the world.

I started a summer English and Technology camp for kids in Guatemala. I was looking for an organization to volunteer with in Nicaragua, but couldn't find one that was a good combination for what I was trying to accomplish. It was then that my friend and teacher suggested I come to Guatemala and start my own program. Two weeks later I landed in Guatemala. I arrived with my mobile teaching kit and a week later I was teaching about 40 children and 20 adults in a make-shift classroom. People told me it would be impossible to get a program going in that time frame, but few things are impossible with the right attitude, critical thinking, and creativity. I have found that it