Meet Elizabeth Moore Kraus | Author & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Moore Kraus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking is innate to me. At age 13, I went to a boarding school in Montemorelos, Mexico. Although one of five kids, it was my older, beautiful, popular (must I go on?) sister who I wanted to get as far away from as possible. Another country should do the trick. Oh, sure, I didn’t know Spanish, but I didn’t care because no one would know her at this new school.

Fast forward to age 42. I had never been to college, so I signed up at my local community college. In 5th grade, my teacher labeled me “stupid” because I struggled to learn my times tables. Determined to confront this harsh judgment, I took a risk and enrolled in a basic math class. Half-way into that first semester my math instructor had me tested. Come to find out I wasn’t “stupid.” I scored “intelligent” while also discovering I have a short-term learning disability. Ridding myself of my teacher’s false truth changed my life. I chose to keep pursuing my education and, in just over five years earned my AA, BA and MA in Literature.

I took that initial risk and tried it again by returning to Ventura College, but this time as an educator. I taught Composition and Critical Thinking in Literature for 20 years. And my third risk–writing my book. (Maybe my fourth, as I did ask my husband to marry me–why wait for him, right?)

I’m an Indie author, and according to various sources, it’s a big risk as self-published authors sell an average of 200-250 books. But I have a secret weapon, two in fact. I’ve got Sullivan James, my fluffy Golden Retriever. When people stop to ask if they can pet him, I eventually ask if they enjoy reading or listening to audio books. If they say “yes,” I hand them one of my bookmarks (with a QR code), and explain how I took a 3-week trip to Ireland, England, and Scotland with my two sisters and didn’t kill one or both of them. I get chuckles accompanied by high praise for surviving such a journey; it’s a funny story. As a result of taking risks, I’ve sold over 1,000 copies of my book and counting.

I realize now that I’m still that brave 13-year-old girl who understands how taking risks has shaped my life and career for the better–and will continue to do so. My next challenge? Figuring out how to adapt my book into a play.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a late bloomer who’s still blossoming. Whenever I hear someone say they’re “too old to try that,” I encourage them to think differently–there’s no timeline for experiencing life. I also find it helpful to ask myself, “Why not?” instead of “Why?”

Our parents could barely afford to support five children, so we were urged to get a job right after high school instead of pursuing higher education. That changed for me at age 42 when I enrolled in college. Initially, it was incredibly challenging, and I was overwhelmed with doubt and fear. But it was also the moment when I truly began to blossom. Before long, I was thriving, and going to college became one of the best, most life-changing decisions I ever made.

If I had told my younger self that at age 50, I would write a thesis to earn my Master’s in English, I would have laughed at her. Yet, “From “Once Upon a Time” to Today: Examining Feminine Silence and Speech in Fairy Tales” is in the library at my alma mater, Cal State, Northridge.

At age 69, I had to fight off Imposter Syndrome as I wrote and then self-published my book, “3 Sisters, 3 Weeks, 3 Countries (Still Talking).” Using my 2019 travel journal and being bored while sequestered during COVID, I wrote my humorous memoir/travel book. It’s not exactly “Eat. Pray. Love.” more like “Eat. Laugh. Lost.” I believed in my book enough to enter it in a global contest, and it earned a gold medal. I’m deeply proud of my book because it serves a dual purpose: as an heirloom for my family and an example of the many benefits of venturing out into life at any age.

At age 71, my son encouraged me to return to teaching, saying, “You still have plenty of gas left in the tank.” Now, I’m back at Ventura College, teaching a Critical Thinking in Literature class and serving as a board member for the Ventura College Foundation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a second generation SoCal who, along with my four siblings, was raised hiking, camping, and exploring. Naturally, my best friend would share the same interests, and because we live in such a prime location with so many options, we can visit the ocean, the mountains, and the desert all rather easily.

We’d cruise along the PCH to the Los Angeles County Line, stopping at Neptune’s Net. It’s a popular destination for hanging out while watching the surfers. Heading south, we’d spend some time wandering around Malibu, including relaxing on the pier. Dinner at Duke’s is always good.

Then, a drive up the Angeles Crest Highway offers breathtaking views. Naturally, a visit to Pasadena is a must–where my siblings, cousins, and I spent many chilly New Year’s Eve nights saving spots on Colorado Boulevard for front-row seats at the Rose Parade. Lunch would be at a favorite spot, Green Street Restaurant, known for its fabulous salads. We’d end the meal with a slice of their freshly baked zucchini bread.

Of course, we’d add in some culture by visiting the Getty Center, and that evening, we might catch a play at the stunning Hollywood Pantages Theatre.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without a doubt, my husband, Dave Kraus, deserves more than a little credit. Sainthood might be in his future. As an electrician, he sees the world as very precise. He’s the type who reads instructions first, while I only turn to them as a last resort. His feet are firmly on the ground; I’m the bundle of helium balloons he loosely holds as I float around looking for what’s next over the horizon. I am where I am because he believed in me when I didn’t and continues to do so now.

My son, his family, and my village of girlfriends are always there to support me and cheer me on.

Thank you always, Lydia C. She was my mentor when I started college and played a role in getting me hired at the same college when I returned with my degrees.

Website: https://elizabethmoorekraus.com

Instagram: https://author.kraus

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Image Credits
Jenny Hermes Whitsitt (Headshot)