Tracy Vanderhoff

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher so I can inspire and guide young minds as they discover their strengths, passions, and potential. Teaching is more than delivering lessons—it's building meaningful relationships, celebrating growth, and empowering students to dream big. I cherish the opportunity to create a classroom environment where curiosity thrives, learning feels exciting, and every child feels valued. Knowing that I can make a positive impact on their lives, both academically and personally, is EXCITING!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Over the years, I have taught a CSI course to many eighth graders. During this course, I provided students with hands-on labs to discover crucial skills such as blood spatter, fingerprinting, fiber identification & ballistics. Upon the completion of the course, students had to solve the case for a crime scene I staged in my classroom. One of the most rewarding moments of my teaching career came when a student shared that my CSI lessons had inspired her to pursue a career in law enforcement.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000 for my middle school science department, I would invest in state-of-the-art lab equipment, such as digital microscopes, sensors, and electrical circuits, to bring abstract concepts to life and prepare students for the 21st-century world. I would also design a makerspace stocked with tools for engineering challenges, fostering creativity & problem-solving skills. Lastly, I’d also organize field trips to science museums to inspire career aspirations & save some for my kids' college.