School: Meadowbrook Elementary School

Grade: Second and third

Subject(s): Science and math

Teaching: 12 years

Why were you inspired to teach?

I think I loved school from my first day as a student. I loved lining up my dolls and stuffed animals and teaching them. I had amazing teachers growing up and always felt called to the classroom.

What is your favorite part of the school day?

I love the little moments before school when you see students in the hallway and they run to give you a hug. I love when students stop by with their parents before the school day just to say hi. I love the quiet moments when students are doing individual work and I can kneel down next to a child to ask about his or her day.

What advice would you give to parents of students starting in your class?

I love what I do! I became a teacher because I love students, and I will fall in love with your child. Trust my education. Trust that I have your child’s best interest at heart. If you are confused about something that happens in class, a story your child tells, or an assignment, please ask me about it.

Do you have a favorite assignment/project that you typically assign your students?

This past year, we partnered with our school’s fire department to do an egg drop challenge. I loved the look on the students’ faces when they walked outside and realized firefighters would be dropping their creations from the top of the ladder truck.

How do you wind down from a long day of teaching?

Haha! I have two children of my own, so I don’t get to wind down until bedtime.

What do you like to do outside of the classroom?

I love to spend time with my kids. We love to explore, go to Get Air and swim. I also love spending time with my friends talking and meeting a group of teachers at the gym for Zumba.

What has been your funniest interaction with a student?

We have lots of funny moments when experiments go wrong. This past year, a student dropped the Mentos into a bottle of Diet Coke before I knew what was happening. I spent the rest of the day very sticky from the Diet Coke that covered me from head to toe!

What is your favorite book?

“What was I Scared of?” by Dr. Seuss