My students are not passive learners of science, they ARE scientists. They embrace the idea that they are empowered to own their learning. In addition to creating a love of learning within my students, I am intentional about equipping students with wonder, teamwork strategies, and problem-solving skills for jobs that may not exist yet! As a 2009 Presidential Awardee in Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), I know that this award represents the expectations that my students have---always aim for the highest, be creative, and be a team player..

I began my teaching career on an emergency credential in a small, coastal, farming community in Central California. The school of 300 students needed another math and science teacher after the start of the school year. I applied for the job, was honest about my lack of experience but desire to be a teacher who impacted students, and got the job the next day! I began a teacher preparation program and masters in education at the local university. I learned so much in this position---both through my master’s and through my close interaction with the stakeholders in my school. The strong-knit community, supportive staff, curious students, and stellar educational leadership of the school district helped to mold me into the teacher I have become. I learned to observe students and analyze their work for evidence of learning. When in doubt, I sought the advice of colleagues, my principal, and students. Knowing what I know now about the many demands on a principal’s and superintendent’s time, I am surprised that they didn’t run when they saw me coming each into their offices each day to ask yet more questions! Instead, they took the time to nurture a new teacher and provided reflective questioning along with just the right amount of support. I know now that I was very fortunate to have been immersed in such an environment.

I currently teach 6th and 8th grade science and an elective aerospace class at Key Peninsula Middle School in the Peninsula School District. I must be one of the luckiest educators around....because I am again in a place that builds leadership in teachers. Through my district, I have been supported in becoming Nationally Board Certified, have developed and lead a NASA Explorer School Team, develop and lead science professional development workshops, am a member of our school improvement team, partner with an elementary school, plan after school science programs and more. These types of experiences happen because my district sees the value and supports the ideas from teachers.

We often work with NASA in utilizing current space science as a tool for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) student achievement and family outreach. In 2004, we applied for and became a NASA Explorer School. I am the team lead for the NASA Explorer School Team at Key Peninsula Middle School. Our aerospace students have competed in and won student science investigations for the past seven years. This spring one of our student-designed experiments was conducted aboard the International Space Station and many students have presented their own investigations in national venues. I am also a Spitzer Space Telescope teacher and a Widefield Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) Telescope teacher ambassador. Both of these programs have provided cutting-edge, real-time research opportunities for middle school students are my school.

In an effort to collaborate with others and continue to build a highly effective teaching force, I am also involved in providing professional development experiences for others. Along with my team, I have led workshops for the Peninsula School District, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Arecibo Observatory. In the last few years, some of this work has been made available to the greater educational community in the form of abstracts with the American Astronomical Society, International Astronautical Federation, and the International Committee on Space Research. In recognizing that effective teachers are crucial in the classroom, I am committed to partnering with my fellow teachers. I am the lead National Board facilitator for my district, supporting other teachers in their pursuit of National Board Certification. I am National Board Certified in Early Adolescence Science. I have a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Irvine and an M.A. in Education from California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo. I am currently working toward an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington.