About

I’m on a field trip!

I’m Launa, a former elementary school teacher who retired early to write, read, and travel with my husband and travel partner, Justin.

We began our full-time travels (with no permanent address), staying about a month in each location, in Summer 2023.

As I travel, I’m researching how children are taught to read in different parts of the world. I’m writing a book on how teachers and their young students navigate the complexities of their writing systems, and what we can learn from each other as we strive for literacy for all. I’ve visited teachers and schools in Bulgaria, Greece, Morocco, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, and more. The variety has been astonishing. And everywhere, I’ve been heartened–teachers and their students are facing great challenges and making progress.

I write here about full-time travel, minimalism, hiking/walking, public transportation, books, and what I’m learning out there.

For postcards (short reads) from, well, wherever we are, subscribe at launaatlarge.substack.com.

Thank you for being here! Comments welcome.