Tell us why you became a teacher

I have been coaching kids (started with swimming) since I was 14 years old. I have always loved helping people get better and seeing their joy when they recognize improvement. When I was in college studying Biology, I was coaching adults in swimming and a woman said, “You would make a great teacher, trust me, I am a principal.” This led me to begin sharing my passion for teaching/learning science with others.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Taking 30 kids and 6 adults on a week long sailing and marine biology trip around Catalina island with the Catalina island marine institute. Kids would sign on as crew and have to learn how to sail the ship. We would practice setting/striking sails several times a day. In between we would have lessons about marine biology, climate, physics and then we would experience these things via snorkeling, boogie boarding, rope swinging. So much learning and so much joy happened on all of these trips

What would you do with the $25,000?

Save some money for my kids college and take a trip with my kids somewhere fun. I would also throw a class party for all of my current students as a thank you.