Kathleen Gonzalez

Please describe yourself and your areas of interest.

My main career has spanned over three decades of teaching literature and writing to teenagers, with special focus on topics like the Transcendentalists, the Beats, food related literature, witness literature, and banned books. I have published a number of articles and chapters related to the teaching of English and trauma-informed pedagogy as well as stories about my students. Due to my love of travel, I have chaperoned students in other countries, and I try to see as much of the world as I can manage. I have a particular love for Venice, which led me to research and write books about her people: the gondoliers, Venetian woman, and Giacomo Casanova. I’ve also edited anthologies of contemporary Venice-related stories, and I’ve been blogging on these topics for over ten years. An insatiable reader, I also enjoy yoga, dancing, spending time in nature, motorcycle rides, hot springs, and time with my husband RJ and other family members.

Why did you become a Companion of the Guild?

A Guild member reached out to me after reading one of my books, Venice Rising, about climate effects on Venetians. After participating in the Guild conference on this topic, I became a Companion myself. Ruskin's love of Venice and focus on sustainable living match my own interests.

Web links: kathleenanngonzalez.wixsite.com/kathleenanngonzalez, seductivevenice.wordpress.com, kathleenanngonzalez.wixsite.com/seductivevenice, kathleenanngonzalez.wixsite.com/beautifulwoman, kathleenanngonzalez.wixsite.com/flirtingwithfortune