Christopher Skinner

Tell us why you became a teacher

I love science. After working in summer camps, I really liked the energy of young people and seeing the triumph in their eyes upon trying something new. So I decided to share my love of science with young people and help them develop the same passion. Truthfully, I thought I was made to be a high school teacher, but after having an amazing middle school master teacher during my student teaching time, I ended up being hired in a middle school and I have found my niche.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Too many to name, but one that comes to mind: This summer a former student of mine approached me to say, "I need to thank you. On the last day of 8th grade, you told me that I have a science mind and I should try the aerospace class in high school, but I thought you were crazy. Well, I will be on the aerospace class' competition team for the third time later this summer and I will be the president of the team next year. I'm planning on studying aerospace engineering in college.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I am allowed to, I'd celebrate with some it by taking my overworked wife someplace nice. But as a public school teacher with far too few resources, I am sure I'll look to buy reusable resources to supplement my curriculum. I'd love to enhance my physics curriculum with more electronic measurement tools for labs, or add materials, models, and labs to my astronomy and genetics units.