The Science of Teaching

“Since 8th grade, I've known that I'm supposed to be a teacher, I think it is my personality. What I teach and how I teach have changed a lot. I think that it’s important for educators to understand to stay true to how they are, but then also adapt to what students need. My mom is an educator. My grandma owned and operated her private preschool in her house for many years in Omaha, Nebraska. On my dad's side of the family, My Great-grandma taught in a One-Room Schoolhouse. Educators want to make a difference, want to have an impact on the future, and make sure the legacy we leave is a good one. I've been a teacher for 16 years. I've had to adapt to lots of different scenarios and through that process, I've gained a better overall view of how education works without having a degree in administration. When I graduated high school that was my declared major, Art Ed. I had a teacher who didn't like one of my projects so in front of the class she ripped it up. I went to the dean and changed my major. I went into elementary education. Graduated from K-state and taught at an elementary school. This school was Title One, 80% free and reduced lunch. Due to some good pre-screen test scores, I saw that ultimately I saw myself as someone who could teach science.

I was a research assistant with one of my professors as a senior in college. I got to present the diversity section to the National Board of Accreditation. Instead of interviewing for a graduate teaching position, that professor hand-picked me to be her teaching assistant. At that time another professor had quit and they asked me to step in and teach that class. This happened at a pivotal part in my life too, my husband and I got engaged. I was left wondering if I wanted to spend the next two years collecting data for my paper, or if I wanted to have a family. I chose the family route. Graduated from K-State and finished my masters in a year. Then I had to find a job again. I taught 5th grade in Junction City for a year. I jokingly applied to Earth And Space Science in my hometown. There was a fourth-grade position. Got a call the next day for an interview. In the interview, they asked me about K-State. I got a text from the board office saying ' I'm going to call you at 7:30, answer the phone’. I answered the phone and they offered me the high school Earth and Science position. When I first started thinking about it I thought it was going to be fun getting to help the students but after being a teacher I learned about the work and dedication it is. You have to be all in all the time. My favorite thing about teaching is seeing the students develop over the year and learn how to be independent.”