What inspired you to become a teacher?
I have been a teacher since I was about 8 years old~ playing school and teaching my younger siblings! My choice was solidified throughout my years at school. I saw and experienced the positive impact teachers can have to influence a young person’s life.
Who inspires you the most?
I really have to say I am mostly inspired by Jesus. I think he exemplified the kind of compassion and selflessness that I hope I can give to others.
What adjectives would you use to describe your presence in the classroom?
Enthusiastic, patient, and humorous.
How has becoming a teacher changed for you over the years?
My circle of influence has grown. This is something I didn’t envision when I started out teaching. My focus was always at the classroom level and individual students. Over the years that has changed from classroom to school to the potential of helping students across the country with the creation of our structured math curriculum. The thing that stays the same is that focus on the individual student.
If you weren’t teaching, what career would you have chosen?
I think I would have chosen a career in art or science. I may still pursue my passion to create pottery and clay art! I would have loved the opportunity to be a geologist or a naturalist of some sort.
Growing up, who was your most inspirational teacher and why?
My most inspirational teacher growing up is a composite of three of my art teachers, one at each level: middle school, high school, and college. Each showed in word and deed the importance of making mistakes but persevering. Whether by using an eraser, crushing a clay piece and starting over, or taking the approach of looking at the negative space rather than the positive space in a composition; each demonstrated that to get something right you have to step back and try again.
What impact or legacy do you hope to leave to your students?
Above all I hope to foster a growth mindset and encourage them to wonder. Of course, I hope to provide a solid foundation in whatever subject(s) I have taught them. I hope that I have helped them acquire the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement as a teacher so far?
I have enjoyed positive feedback from students, parents, and colleagues about my influence as a teacher and that has made me feel a great sense of achievement.
What are some of the most important life skills you hope to instill in your students?
Perseverance