Sparkling Science

I have been a middle school science teacher for over ten years now. I have experience in 7th and 8th grade. I started the STEM program for my school. I have experience teaching 6th-8th grade STEM. Now, I begin my journey as a high school STEM teacher. I will be teaching Principles of Engineering, Engineering 1 & 2, and Engineering Practicum. I also hold the titles of PLC leader, leadership team member, and science department chair.

My lessons are very fast-paced and I have my students moving around a lot. I enjoy having students compete, work in small groups, participate in whole group discussions, participate in hands-on activities, and show their skills through independent tasks. I basically plan my lessons using the following format: Bell work/Hook, Competition, Whole group instruction, Competition, Small group activity, Individual practice, and Closure. I honestly feel like I engage all students. I take pride in the student connections I make each year. My students miss my class the next year. With my STEM students, they are participating in project-based and problem-based learning. They build and create almost daily.

I have been named Teacher of the Year. I work at a very high achieving school so this honor means so much to me. I am surrounded by great teachers who are also looking to learn new things. I have been awarded several grants over the past ten years. In Samsung's Solve for Tomorrow grant competition, I was a top three finalist for the state.

I earned my degree in Biology from Middle Tennessee State University in 2005. I also took graduate courses from MTSU and am now STEM certified.

I didn't originally go to college to be a teacher. I was a pre-med student...but I always had an inner passion to teach. I loved being a student growing up (and still enjoy sitting in a classroom). When I first graduated college, I worked as an Educational Assistant in a high school setting then decided I NEEDED to teach. I soon enrolled into a graduate program on the "alternate license" route. There I was, teaching in an 8th grade classroom with no experience...I mean...didn't even know what a "standard" was...going to grad school at night...coaching softball...and PREGNANT. What a first year! Looking back on it, it seems a lot harder than it really was. For one, I'm a very stubborn person...and two, I love teaching. I can say that I am truly doing what I was born to do. I am a mom, a wife, and a teacher. Life is good.