Krystal Pettit

Bringing my passion for science to students each day gives me great joy.Teaching gives me this opportunity to make a real difference in students' lives by fostering creativity and inspiring confidence in their abilities. Watching students grow as learners and overcome obstacles as they discover the wonders of science inspires me to be the best teacher that I can be each day. Shaping young minds is a monumental task I am proud to be charged with.

One challenging student in my class who made teaching very difficult became a success story. After an alternative school placement in 8th grade for behavior, she came back with only eight weeks left in the year. I know she enjoyed science so I encouraged her to take classes at the high school in the health academy. She graduated high school with honors and went into the medical field where she earned her masters in health services. Currently she works for the health dept and emails me monthly.

An award of $25,000 would allow me to assist my children with their college education. Both are in college and have to take out student loans as I am a single mother and a teacher. Both work to help pay their bills while enrolled in 18 credit hours. One is a physical therapy major & the other is an atmospheric science major. Nothing would bring me greater joy than for both entering their careers with little college loan debt. And reducing my debt would be a weight off my shoulders.