Growing up, I mentored kids in the Big Buddy program and loved presenting information to students in fun ways! I taught preschool at my high school, was the Chuck E. Cheese mascot, and traveled with the Auntie Anne's pretzel company teaching kids how to roll pretzels. In college, I worked at the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children. This led to teaching youth at my church as well. I always had a ton of fun and positive impact at all of these experiences!

One day, during math, my principal walked in while I had music blaring, kids dancing, and a disco ball spinning overhead. The students had created motions to go with a song about a math topic. She joined in on the fun and wrote me an email later that day stating, "You’re really ‘a natural,’ and I admire your efforts to truly engage your students in learning." Students email me year after year reminiscing about lessons like this one and how it applies to their current learning.

I plan to buy more Sphero Bolts for my classroom and put money towards my daughters' college educations! They both want to become teachers! I also plan to book a family trip to the Switchfoot Bro-Am, an annual surf contest and concert that raises funds to provide “services to homeless, at-risk and disadvantaged youth, with a special focus on programs related to music, art and surfing.” Switchfoot is a Grammy award winning rock band who helped me make a Rock N' Rules video for my school! 🤘