Teaching science has been one of the most interesting experiences of my life. One year, after finding about 500 maggots and a dead beta fish on the floor, I started to question whether I was the right teacher for the job. And that wasn’t the first time I felt that way. It happened before, like when I opened an unassuming box and found a large bag of cow eyes staring up at me, and then again when some students brought a squirrel’s tail (yes, just the tail) to my door. Even after teaching science for so many years, I still haven’t quite conquered my squeamish-ness with the "beauty" of nature. However, I have learned more about science from teaching it than I remember from 20 years of formal education. From mealworms to microscopes, there is something to be said about the power of the hands-on experience, for students as well as teachers. 

Apart from teaching, I'm happiest when I'm outdoors whether that be on the beach, up in the mountains or in the woods. I also love reading, exploring new places, and spending time with my husband, three children and our dog, Milo! I’m not sure if my children think that having a teacher for a mother is more of a blessing or a curse, but one thing is for sure – they’re learning the sad reality that the teacher doesn’t know everything. "But you’re a teacher!" is a commonly spoken exclamation in our home, to which I reply, "Sorry. Go look it up on the internet…"

​

• Bachelor of Arts, Accounting, University of Maryland, College Park

• Master of Arts, Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Towson State University

• Master of Education, Education Policy and Leadership, University of Maryland, College Park

• 2012 Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education recipient, Teacher as Leader, Maryland State Advisory Council for Gifted and and Talented Education