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Joan La Bouff

Joan, a 53-year-old mother of three grown up children, will be setting up home in Crumpsall with husband Thom and working at Crumpsall Lane Primary School from September as part of an exchange scheme.

She will be swapping jobs and homes with Crumpsall Lane reception teacher Musarah Hussain who flies out to the USA in August with her two sons who will attend local schools in Manhattan Beach.

The exchange has been organised through the Fulbright foundation, sponsored by the United States department of education and cultural affairs, which matched the two teachers.

Joan knew nothing of the area she is destined for but has come to know Crumpsall after becoming a regular reader of northmanchester.net which she discovered by browsing the internet.

She said: "I was so thrilled when I first logged on to northmanchester.net because I was able to see a picture of Crumpsall Lane Primary School. Since then Musarah has sent me many pictures of her home and school. I did the
same for her.

"We have had may conversations by phone, letters and emails. We feel like we know all about each other. We both know that it will be a great experience. We will meet face to face at an orientation in Washington D.C. on August 1st."

Joan, who has been teaching for 27 years, specialises in developing reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and has a qualification in teaching English as a second language.

She is looking forward to the exchange and, although she can expect something of a culture shock, she has no qualms about leaving behind the sunshine, surfing and golden beaches for a cold, wet winter in Crumpsall.

"We live about 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean. My husband is retired and takes advantage of it almost daily by surf fly fishing. He is hoping to find a fishing group in Manchester," she said.

"I grew up in Chicago. The weather there is some of the worst possible. I also lived in Washington State for a short while and actually enjoyed the rain. It is a myth that 'it never rains in California' but it doesn't happen often.

"Musarah and I feel that the Fulbright matched schools and us very well.

I am very thankful that the Head Teacher Mr. Robertson and my Principal, Mrs. Hoekzema endorsed our exchange with enthusiasm.

"My home school is 186th Street School which is very multi-cultural. The predominant culture is Hispanic. Our students are mostly from lower income families. The school is funded by the State and many languages are spoken by our students, mostly Spanish and Asian."

Joan and Thom have never before been to Europe and plan to start their adventure with a visit to the Edinburgh Festival and hope to see some of England's historic cities, lakes and countryside.

Joan said: "We have three grown children ages 33, 26 and 23 and we are hoping that they will all come and visit us during our exchange.

"We are hoping to travel to many places. First I want to learn my way around Manchester then we will be exploring other places on the weekends and school breaks. I have never been to Europe so I am open to it all."