Why I Teach:

Often, people think of teachers as students who really love school or the teacher's pet of the class. However, growing up, I didn't really enjoy the school environment. As much as I wanted to be a good student, I couldn't focus long enough to find interest or even understand the topics being taught. Of course, I loved the socialization factor, but what I truly needed was a class that was active and brought out skills that I didn't know I was capable of. 

I never pictured myself becoming a teacher. I remember a time in my life where I said to my 10th grade teacher, "I don't really know what I want to do with my life, but I don't want to be a teacher." However, that moment is what made me realize that teaching is exactly what I want to do. I want to offer what I didn't have as a kid. I want class to be a safe place for students to explore, challenge themselves, and bring out the best in them. We are in school the majority of our lives, so I want it to be a place of excitement and laughter; not dreadfulness and stress. 

Of course, this doesn't mean it will be a walk in the park. I hold high expectations for my students and expect that they will push through when things get tough and ask questions when they don't understand. My room is a safe space for everyone. We make mistakes to learn, and we build trust and respect throughout the class.