Renee Kornish

Tell us why you became a teacher

My inspiration for becoming an educator came from the teachers who taught me and inspired my love of learning. An inquiry or interest in a subject can very quickly become a passion if it is fueled with the encouragement of those around you. I always think of the beloved Jane Goodall. What began as a childhood interest in animals and nature soon grew into a passion for science and the study of chimpanzees due to support and mentorship of others. I strive to be that support for my students.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Several years ago I had a student in my class who had cerebral palsy, was nearly non-verbal and had limited physical mobility. I was nervous, to be honest. My greatest fear as a teacher is that I am going to short change my students and not give them the education they deserve. I soon realized that there are no typical or atypical learners. Every student responds and thrives differently, regardless of their ability to talk or walk. That year I learned to be a better teacher for every student.

What would you do with the $25,000?

My goal is to expand our outside classroom, so it can become a STEM environment and we can better utilize our pond ecosystem that is already onsite. We have very limited science and math materials, even in our regular classrooms. My dream would be for students to develop their natural curiosity and love of the outdoors while strengthening their understanding of scientific and mathematical concepts. Currently, our outdoor classroom is just a space. My aim is to make it a learning environment!