Meet Daniel Gibbs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Gibbs.

Daniel, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in upstate New York, four hours north of New York City and three hours south of Montreal between tourist areas Lake George and Saratoga Springs.

I received my Associate’s Degree, followed by my Bachelor’s Degree and then three years later, my Master’s Degree in Education.

At first, I worked in public schools in upstate New York for eight years and then in my later 20’s I went to Europe for the first time to work at a bilingual, international day camp in Switzerland. I was then hooked on travel, Europe and meeting others. I continued working in upstate, New York and then spending my summers coordinating the primary-aged campers at the same camp in Switzerland. In talking to others who were teaching overseas, I decided that I was ready to do the same as well.

I moved to Leipzig, Germany for two years, where I taught at an international school and traveled a good deal when I could.

A few years later (after a short stint back in upstate New York), I moved to the French part of Switzerland and worked at an international school in Lausanne, Switzerland, for six years. It was a great time, and I traveled more both on work and personal trips.

Then five years ago, I decided to move to Los Angeles, enjoying my vacations in Southern California and wanting to try it out. For the first year, I decided to take a year off from teaching and doing things for fun (going to my first Mardi Gras, going on my first cruise, taking cooking classes since cooking and baking was something I got more into in Europe and enjoy as a hobby, reading a lot which is another hobby, exploring LA and SoCal and doing background acting so I could experience the entertainment industry and going on many studio lots and tv shows).

Now, I’m looking for my next adventure, most likely in education, but open to do something in other areas which I enjoy and are hobbies for me as well (event planning, reading, traveling, writing, cooking/baking, etc.).

In LA (as in any place I move to), I explore a lot! I also research events, try out restaurants and bars, hikes, go on long walks, go to farmers markets, cooking classes, and day trips.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Hmmm… I’m often thinking about:
1) Where should I live?
2) What should I be doing for work?
3) Who will I end up with as a partner?

I struggle with these often.

Currently, I am living in LA, I’m looking for my next job, and I’m single. lol

In LA, my struggles would be:
– Finding a tribe of genuine friends that don’t live all over the place. Thankfully I have twin best friends in LA and a few other close friends too.
– Finding the right place to live that still allows me money to save and play with
-I’m often sad to see how the homeless population has exploded and wondered when it would change
-I haven’t been so affected by traffic like others as I tend to not take highways whenever I can and also didn’t need to take highways to my last job.
– Dating! I was forewarned, and people were right! It’s rough finding a good guy who’s looking for something similar!

Alright – so let’s talk about your work – what should we know?
Profession:
I’m a teacher of 20 years by trade (public, international, and private).
I’m a very dedicated employee, so I’m often on most committees, try to better myself as a teacher through conferences, presenting and going on accreditation visits. I also taught baking classes twice a week at my school, which were popular.
I’m looking for an employer who can use a lot of my skill set and interests.

Known for/specialize in/hobbies:
– Travel
– Events (planning, research, and attending)
– Reading (have read hundreds of books, most of which I still have))
– Food and wine knowledge (foodie and red wine lover)
– Cooking and baking (a hobby I picked up while in Europe mostly and have continued)
-Touring family, friends and acquaintances around to LA sites and day trips
-Writing: something I don’t do enough, but I enjoy

Sets me apart:
-I’d like to say I have knowledge about a lot of different areas, I’m well-traveled, know good food and wine, friendly and funny, optimistic, well-read and I think I’m traditional in a way that is good and a dying art (writing letters, thank you’s, sending postcards, enjoying maps, not doing online banking lol).

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
– Mom and Dad: well raising me, of course, but also showing me that although they are divorced, they are friendly and like to do things together and with me. This has taught me a lot. They are both active as well with local organizations. My mom still works 40 hour weeks in her 70s and my dad bikes/hikes/fishes in his 70s too.
– My friends, especially my twin best friends (Allison and Cinnamon Sparks who recommended me to you) in LA, another great friend in upstate NY (a great educator)
– My students (They made me laugh so much in my 20 years of teaching and made me want to go to work every day and be the best teacher I could be for them). Also, many past colleagues and students’ parents.
– Celebrity chefs and travel shows 🙂 (Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson, Ludo Lefebvre, Nancy Silverton, Rick Steeves, Curtis Stone and many, many more).

-God (might be controversial to say, but I’m a believer, and I’ve had many talks with God lol)

Contact Info:

• Address: Facebook: Daniel J. Gibbs
  Instagram: djggibs
  Email: [email protected]

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition, please let us know here.