Spotlight on U (Teachers)

What do you teach and why did you become a teacher?

I teach 11th grade physical science and will also be teaching 10th grade biology next semester. I didn’t originally plan to be a teacher. For most of my college career, I was on the pre-med track and thought I wanted to go to medical school. During my last year, I had this moment of honesty with myself that becoming a doctor wasn’t what I truly wanted. I had always tutored science through high school and college, but I never considered it as a career until my grandfather asked if I could see myself teaching. That simple question made everything click. Teaching felt purposeful and aligned with who I am, and I’ve never looked back.

What is your favorite memory from your teaching career?

Last spring, my honors biology class became one of my all-time favorites. They were curious, hilarious and constantly asked incredible questions. Somehow, we developed a running joke about a mysterious creature called “Man Rat,” and the students found every excuse possible to bring him into class discussions. I leaned into the fun and created assignments where they could investigate biology concepts through the lens of Man Rat. My students ended up drawing him, writing stories about him, and one even made me a ceramic Man Rat that still sits on my shelf. That class reminded me how joyful and creative learning can be when students feel invested.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring teachers?

Do not take work home. I did that my first few weeks until my mentor teacher practically smacked some sense into me. There will always be more to do – more emails, more copies, more planning. Make a checklist, do what you can and go home. The list will be waiting for you tomorrow. I also remind myself daily that a few challenging students never outweigh the many amazing ones. Focusing on the good keeps me grounded. As a Christian, I start every day praying for patience, peace and perseverance. It helps me show up for my students even on the hard days.

Describe your most creative lesson plan and how you made it fun.

My favorite lesson is our phase change lab, where students make ice cream. The hook starts with a debate: would a boiled egg cook faster at sea level or on top of a mountain? That opens the door to phase changes and specific heat capacity. Then we connect it to a real-life question: why does the county put salt on the roads before snow? For the hands-on investigation, students choose from three types of milk and three types of salt, then design their own ice cream mixture. They record shared data in a Google Doc, shake their bags to freeze their cream into ice cream, and then calculate specific heat capacity from their results. Each group presents their claim-evidence-reasoning posters at the end. It’s messy, loud and so much fun.

What do you do for fun outside of teaching?

On longer breaks, I love quick trips to the mountains or beach. I enjoy hiking and exploring small mountain towns. On weekends, you can usually find me baking, watching movies, reading dystopian books, or helping with the middle school ministry at my church.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

I’d want the ability to stop time, not to get more schoolwork done, but to stretch the time I have with my family and husband. Life moves fast, and sometimes I just want to hit pause and savor the moment.

What is your favorite season and what do you enjoy doing during that season?

I am a fall girl through and through, not because of the pumpkin spice, but because of the colors, the crisp air, and the cozy clothes. I also got married in the fall, surrounded by warm oranges and yellows, so the season always feels nostalgic and special.

If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?

Because I teach science, I get to teach students that critical thinking isn’t just for labs—it’s a life skill. The scientific method is really just structured for problem-solving, and every student, even the ones in CTE who swear they’ll “never do science,” will need those skills in their careers and daily lives. I remind them often: it’s okay not to know the answer. It’s not okay to stay that way. Keep asking questions, keep exploring and keep working until you figure it out.