Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

Originally, I wanted to become a superintendent and institute what I thought was "real change" in the education world, as I specialized in Public Policy with a focus on Education Reform. However, I realized while student teaching and tutoring that there were significant gaps in student learning at the middle school level that I found alarming. I never appreciated the education I received as much as I did that moment and realized that's something tangible I can change and do on my own.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One year I taught about weather systems while living in Chicago since that meant the weather was finicky and unpredictable. I wanted my students to be able to watch the news for the weather and understand how it's always evolving. After the unit, I was able to connect with NBC News in Chicago and we planned a field trip to go to the news station and meet with meteorologist about how they use technology to predict weather patterns. We got to watch the news live and the kids even got to be on tv!

What would you do with the $25,000?

As a biology teacher I think it would be so cool to visit the Galápagos Islands off of the coast of Ecuador to explore the biodiversity of organisms there as a way to not only travel and see the world but also to gain firsthand experience with the ecosystems and species that played a crucial role in the development of evolutionary theory. By observing diverse species and their behaviors in their natural habitats, I can deepen my students understanding of concepts like adaptation and speciation.