Why is your work as an educator important to you?

As a high school science teacher, I'm educating students at an important stage of their lives when they're nearing adulthood and making important career and continued education decisions that impact both the individual student and society. I recognize the influential power teachers have as role models and positively support and encourage each one of my students toward reaching their individual goals.  

How do you create an engaging and welcoming environment in your classroom?

I'm passionate about science and genuinely happy to teach and learn with my students each day. I make learning opportunities engaging for all students by implementing a huge variety of activities into the lessons. Some favorite activities include Play-Doh Pictionary, table chalk markers, buzzer review game, anatomical "Simon Says," nature journaling, electronic game reviews, escape rooms, and tons of labs, but particularly the one that involves crossing the genetics of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and crafting a tater tot.

What is one student engagement or community-building strategy that you have found successful?

I connect my anatomy and college biology students to experts in the medical field by taking them on a human cadaver lab tour at a nearby university. It’s a unique opportunity for my students to demonstrate their growth of human anatomy knowledge. I have coordinated with smaller nearby districts whose class size is not large enough for a tour (a coworker from my previous school and a teacher I met at biology network), so their students could also experience the cadaver learning opportunity alongside my students. 

What advice would you give a teacher wanting to improve their students’ learning experience?

My highly effective teaching methods begin with establishing positive relationships and routines, which allows me to set high expectations for every student. I explicitly plan detailed lessons which include stating the learning objective, clear explanations, demonstrations, frequent opportunities for student responses and practice with immediate feedback. I promote student accountability by having them track their own learning progress, using unit goal sheets, then reflect on quiz results and study habits prior to every unit test in order to prioritize their study time.

What are your passions and hobbies outside of the classroom?

When I'm not in the classroom, I love spending time with my husband, John, and two children, Reanna and Ryan. My favorite activities are kayaking, reading, and hiking. I also enjoy sponsoring the Science Club, coaching the JV and Varsity Scholar Bowl Teams (2024 State Champs! Go Jays!!), and cheering on all West Platte Bluejays from the sidelines.