MY STORY

Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, with my mother's 30 years of teaching as inspiration, I knew I wanted to make a difference in children's lives. Pursuing my passion, I attended Alabama State University to major in education. After graduation, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to become a classroom teacher.

However, after five years, I felt disillusioned with the constant changes in grade levels and content responsibilities. Seeking inspiration, I attended conferences where I discovered the power of hands-on teaching approaches. Implementing these strategies in my classroom, I witnessed an incredible level of excitement from my students. Collaborating with remarkable colleagues like Patricia Poulos, I honed my ability to use science as a tool to engage and motivate my students.

Realizing that science was often neglected due to the emphasis on reading and math, I became passionate about integrating science as an anchor across different subjects—a transdisciplinary approach that has become my mantra.

WHY DO I TEACH?

Teaching science is my calling, a means to empower students and unlock their potential. I firmly believe that every student, irrespective of their background, possesses a love for learning and a capacity to excel. By setting high expectations and nurturing a positive learning environment, I guide students to rise above challenges through dedication, perseverance, and hard work. Valuing each student's unique abilities and ideas, I strive to instill a sense of worth and create a platform where they can actively participate in structured discovery. Witnessing their growth and witnessing the realization of their capabilities fuels my purpose as an educator. Together, we embark on an exciting journey of exploration, building a foundation for a brighter future.

MY VALUES

In order for STEM learning to be meaningful, students must actively engage in science, technology, engineering, and math in a positive and timely manner so that they increase their confidence and competence.

The learning experiences in this course foster problem-solving, critical thinking, scientific and mathematical reasoning.