I have always loved being around children. I was mother rabbit in a play and had the most amazing teacher in 1st grade. I knew right then I wanted to teach students. I love doing activities and projects that help the students be excited about learning. I encourage them to set goals to reach their dreams because they write their own life book.

I was licensed to hatched salmon in my classroom for 10 years. The students loved watching the eggs hatch and mature. We had a blast celebrating their release into the river complete with a grand celebration with members of local organizations coming to run learning stations. Students learned about tying flies, food chains and food webs, how to fish, pond water quality and organism study, habitats, and the water cycle. Over the years, my classes released about 2,250 salmon into the rivers.

Our students would love to use STEM materials in the classroom as well as during inside recess during our cold winter days. We have a nature center that was shut down because it needs upgrades. I would use this money to make this a usable space for our school again. I would add exploration stations as well as social emotional pathways including spaces for students to read, draw, and spend time with friends. I would including growing plants and weather monitoring stations.