Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I STARTED teaching science because of my captivation with physics' power to predict. Knowing a ball's initial velocity and angle lets me pinpoint its landing spot. I can calculate the fuel needed to launch a rocket into orbit, even to the Moon. I wanted to share that "future-telling" thrill with others and inspire them. I CONTINUE teaching because our future hinges on this generation's skills, and I believe that critical thinking skills and scientific literacy is key to our collective success.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

There have been many: organizing our community to win a $100k planetarium grant, arranging an interview between Apollo 13’s Fred Haise and young gifted learners, running STEM camp with rockets and engineers, providing eclipse glasses and activities for all our elementary learners for the 2024 eclipse. But the best is the accumulation of many smaller “AHA!” moments when learners get inspired in class and apply that, enthusiastically, outside the classroom, their natural curiosity leading the way.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would balance the spending between my educational goals and my family’s wishes. For my school, I would establish a permanent observatory shed for use at our planetarium star parties and astronomy classes. I would also finally take my family on a trip to Kennedy Space Center, along with my 360 cameras, microphones, and other equipment to document the trip and create multiple impactful planetarium shows to share with our learners and community.