I volunteered at Berkeley High School in the darkroom photography class, as that was my focus in college. I fell in love with the kids and teaching students a scientific process and artistic goal. The teacher encouraged me to get my teaching credential, and I ended up doing my student teaching with her as my master teacher. It was the hardest but best experience I had up until having my own child. Teaching an elective gives me the ability to teach students different avenues of using technology.

So many to pick from but I will never forget teaching in Oakland, California and doing a collaborative project with the music teacher. At the time I was teaching art and was blessed to have a kiln to use for the kids to fire their clay projects. We created nearly 100 ceramic flowers to gift the audience members at a jazz club where the music students were performing. In tears I watched the kids play music and my students give out their beloved ceramic flowers away to the audience. Unforgettable!

Unfortunately I still have student loans and a couple credit cards to pay off. After that, my car is a 2013 and in desperate need of repair. Getting these things taken care of would greatly impact my quality of life by allowing me to finally start saving money. So many bills plus low salary rate plus high cost of living equals a paycheck to paycheck lifestyle. It’s sad that teachers have holidays off but usually don’t have the resources to travel and be with family. I’d love to be debt free 🙏🏽