Astrid Weddle

Tell us why you became a teacher

It was a God thing. I've always loved teaching youth aged individuals, whether it was working at a camp in the Florida Keys or being a Boy Scout leader (9 yrs); I was also a chaperone at church for youth activities and a high school T&F coach. I also home-schooled my own children for 4 years. I love to engage and help young minds question the world around them and figure things out. My degree is in Art with a minor in Biology, with this I give students the opportunity to be creative.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I was a student teacher, during Covid, and I was teaching on Earth's resources. This one student looked at me while I was presenting the notes and said, "whoa, wait...are you saying that because of this, we have this?" It was a light bulb moment. My teacher-mentor looked at me and smiled. I looked at the student and said, "well done, you get it". He saw how everything fit and why. Very cool moment for me, and of course my student -who still talked about it to me until he graduated.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I would expand my library of books and reference materials. I can't help but to keep learning. I would want to travel to museums and places that help me to understand science and art more, so that I can bring it back to the classroom. Students learn by experiences, I would share mine--as I do now. I think with the money, I would also donate to my Science Olympiad team for materials (we are a new team with no funds). I want students to succeed.