Tell us why you became a teacher

I always loved learning new things from the time I was young. I think I most wanted to teach not only because I wanted to share all of the things I'd learned about Earth and Space, but for the excitement on student's faces when they learned something new. I like being able to interact with people, most importantly, I teach to make a difference in a student's life. I hope that all of my students know that I care... I care about how they are doing, not just academically, but as a person.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I implemented a year-long, cross-curricular experience called The Apple Island Cartography Project, which allowed me to take 2 classes of at-risk students to a local island using grant funded materials (journals, hand-held GPS units, laptops, geology tools) to explore how the island was geographically, geologically and historically unique to our District. We did soil sampling, mapping, visited the local historical museum, wrote poetry about and did watercolor paintings of the island.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If the money has to be spent in the classroom, I would resurrect the Apple Island Project, adding an Astronomical component. The money could pay for the bus and boat transportation to the Island (since the District no longer absorbs those costs) and updated materials that we could use like tablets/iPads or a telescope. If I could use the money for personal expenses, I would use it toward both of my own children's college tuition.