Content: Earth Science & Environmental Science
School: Woodside High
Years Taught:17

What word best describes you as a teacher and why?
Enthusiastic! I genuinely geek out on the content I GET to teach, and my scholars feel and see that! As the leader of my classroom, I am the thermostat—the atmosphere creator. Therefore, it is imperative that I bring my passion for learning and for the growth of my scholars in all areas to the classroom each day. This approach helps to keep my scholars engaged with the content and connected to me and each other!

Why do you love working in NNPS?
I have been fortunate to have taught scholars in multiple districts, in multiple states, due to military moves. The incredible instructional support I receive from NNPS Science Supervisor, Dr. Rodney Culverhouse, and his team of Instructional Coaches, Casey Ruder and Amanda Riordan, is unlike any I have experienced! I also am fortunate to have an incredible API in Grayce Foley, an amazing Science Lead in Margaret Wiggins, and rockstar fellow Science teachers on the Woodside Team! Why do I love working in NNPS? Two words: Leadership and People—those make the biggest difference for me!

Content: Biology
School: Heritage High
Years Taught: 9

Why are you passionate about supporting fellow teachers?
I truly think teachers learn best from other teachers! I learn so much from watching my peers teach. The more opportunities I can provide for others, the better.

What is the best way to describe your classroom on a typical day?
"Controlled Chaos." I know that sounds bad, but we are usually doing multiple activities or "moving parts" in a day. On a lab day, for example, there are multiple students in different places, but I can bounce from group to group and assist them as needed. During activities at their desks, students may have a list of items to complete, so it may appear that students are working on different tasks, but they are working and engaged. My point is, I know exactly where and what my students should be working on, even if that looks different for each group or student.

Content: Biology
School: Denbigh High
Years Taught: 9

Why are you passionate about supporting fellow teachers?
9 years ago, I was hired to teach at Denbigh HS. I had graduated from ODU only the year prior with a biology degree and absolutely NO teaching experience. That first day of school was my first day back in a secondary classroom since I graduated high school myself! Needless to say, I was absolutely terrified! Looking back, I could not have made it through that first day, week, month, and definitely not school year without the support of my amazing Science team, mentors, other faculty, and administration! As the years went by and I became more comfortable in my role, I wanted to be sure that I was able to provide support for other teachers who need it just as I did so many years ago. Education, while rewarding, can be challenging at times, and it is so important to have someone who can provide a helping hand, a place to vent, a good laugh, and more! I would not be the educator I am today without the positive support of so many others along the way. This year, I hope to continue to pay it forward and fill that role for others!

What do you love most about teaching?
I truly feel there are few careers more rewarding than teaching. I love that we are able to help shape our students’ minds and guide them both inside and outside of the classroom. I love teaching high school because we are the last stop for many students before embarking on the wonders of the "real world"! Watching my 9th/10th graders mature and adapt to high school in my classroom, having them pop in for visits as upperclassmen, then finally walking across that stage is truly a remarkable experience that I continue to cherish year after year. I also love that no two days, or even class periods, are the same! This profession has taught me the value of passion, persistence, communication, and flexibility. Finally, I love that each year I grow to be a better person than I was at the beginning right along with my students. I truly believe teachers are so vital not only to teaching subject matter but also in shaping students into the best people they can be!