Kim Bowman

Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

Like most teachers, I had math teachers throughout my life that inspired me in my love of mathematics and as a human. I became a teacher to foster a love for learning that I had and to watch students fall in love with mathematics. The relationships I have been able to form with these wonderful humans has been the best part of the job and I love watching them grow and discovering who they are and who they want to be.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Over 20 years, it is hard to choose just one memorable experience. To me, my teaching joy has been fueled by a plethora of micromoments. From the small inside jokes my classes will make to year after year moments of shared experiences I have with them, like yelling "born ready" before every test and quiz. Last year, I did take 13 students to South Africa for spring break, and watching them getting to learn and experience the world both with nature and history was unbelievable.

What would you do with the $25,000?

25,000 would be an amazing gift that I would use to pay off at least one of my brother's student loans. I was his guardian and raised him, so I had to cosign his loans. Being able to help him out a bit (and in turn myself) would be unbelievable. I have also had a dream of starting a hobby farm with a goal of living a more sustainable lifestyle. Being able to bring that goal into reality would be a literal dream come true.