Jackie Karenbauer

Tell us why you became a teacher

I've wanted to be a teacher as early as kindergarten. My grandma bought me a "school bell" for kindergarten graduation. I then found passions in science and technology. I considered a non-education career. However, in college, the field called me back. I was able to combine all of my passions: science, technology, and teaching. What I didn't know is over my career, I gravitate to the students who don't have these passions, and ignite an interest in the topics.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

The experience is a combination of the cards, notes, and emails from parents and students from previous years. I am grouping them together as one experience because they all mentioned how they knew I cared about them as individuals, wanted them to succeed, was flexible with their challenges impacting their academic performance and to like science along the way.

What would you do with the $25,000?

As I am reaching my retirement years, I will travel. I want to see the places I've taught and talked about over the years. This includes touring Pompeii, National Parks inside/outside the US. I would love to travel to the best science centers, museums, planetariums, and zoos in the country. I would love to experience all NASA has to offer the public. I would like to snorkel a coral reef and hike/bike to explore the wonders of our planet.