• —Graduate Coursework and Research, Department of Education—Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia
  • —Bachelor of Arts—Organizational Communication/Business Management California State University Sacramento
  • —Tutor—Western Australia Department of Child and Family Protection
    Services
  • —Extensive Background working with At-Risk, Mentally, and Physically Challenged Children
  • —Passionate about Biodiversity, Environmental Sustainability, and Corporate Social Responsibility
  • —Management of Public Relations and Safety
  • —Wildlife and Business Background
  • —Private Pilot License
  • —35 year Entrepreneur
  • —Adventurer and Educator
  • —Current Working with Children/Police
  •     Check; First Aid and
  •     Oxygen Administration

CURRENT PLAN

  • —Teresa Diehl will complete a solo, self-contained sea kayak expedition from Hemingway Marina, Havana, Cuba to the Florida Keys. As she progresses toward Miami, she will stop in schools using her expedition as a metaphor for the challenges students will face and how to set empowering health, education, and financial independence goals using this example. She will target low income and “At Risk” communities, but her programs can be adapted to any age group and any venue. Measurable goals will be determined by increased school retention rates and enrollment in further education programs upon high school graduation. Teresa has done several presentations in the Florida Keys and will continue to present her program in the Miami area while she and her team wait for the necessary weather window to paddle from Cuba to Key West. Schools, communities, and organizations wishing to schedule goal setting presentations, may contact Teresa directly through her website, PlatypusYank.com.
  • —Subsequent to this, she plans to solo Circumnavigate Australia in a self-built and designed sea kayak stopping at schools in rural and “At Risk” communities to deliver the program commencing from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.   As Teresa progresses around the continent, she will stop at Secondary Schools encouraging students to set healthy lifestyle goals, plan for post year 12 education, and achieve self-sufficiency (as opposed to generational government assistance).  Teresa has already enjoyed success in Western Australia and Queensland spending six weeks in the Aboriginal Community of Yarrabah, Queensland.
  • —The Midwest Director of Western Australia staff and their respective state and territory equivalents will initially contact schools who will then coordinate scheduling with Teresa Diehl.
  • —Presentations will be tailored to individual school needs and curriculum, whenever possible meeting health education, science, math, and literacy requirements. Teresa will facilitate engagement of community generated solutions and resource procurement for parental and community support of student goals.
  • —Students can follow Teresa on her journey and communicate with her via her website, PlatypusYank.com,  to continue their engagement in university preparation, health education, marine science, environmental awareness, and goal setting fulfilment.