Who or what influenced you to be a teacher?
I decided that I wanted to be a teacher after working in a professional setting as a manager for a marketing company. I was in charge of interviewing and training new representatives and realized that many of them coming right out of high school and college did not have the skills they needed to succeed. What was most disheartening was that many times the person who seemed to need the job the most just did not fit the qualifications. I saw first hand the way socioeconomic status negatively affected a person’s education and in turn their future. In knowing that I cannot change someone’s socioeconomic status, I determined that my place was in education. My teachers growing up played a large part in ensuring my success and I can only hope to do the same for my students.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a teacher?
The biggest challenge I have faced as a teacher is finding a way to give my students all of the things they need in the short time I get to work with them each day. I want so much for them to have all the knowledge and skills they need to succeed outside of the classroom. Making sure we fit everything takes a lot of strategic planning and quick thinking. I want them to grow not only academically but also intellectually, socially and emotionally. In order to do that, we simply cannot waste a minute. I challenge them to think, analyze and learn from their experiences and mistakes in all aspects of their daily lives.

What intrigued you about the opportunities with Teach For America?
After reading about Teach For America’s mission to close the achievement gap and work with underserved students, I became very interested in the program. As I obtained more information about the work that Teach For America teachers do and the affect that it has on the students they teach I knew the program was for me.

What’s one interesting thing your students don’t know about you?
My students know me pretty well at this point, but I guess the fact that if someone would have told me five years ago that I was going to be a high school science teacher, I would never have believed them. Now, I couldn’t dream of doing anything else.

Subject
Forensic Science, Chemistry, and Earth and Environmental Science

School
Business and Finance School at Garinger High School

Years Teaching
2 years

Education
Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Forensic Science and Law. I am currently in a teaching program at UNCC. I will also be applying to a Master’s in Education program at Winthrop within the next year.

Favorite Bobcats player
Raja Bell. He is fun to watch as he plays well on both offense and defense. It seems that he is a huge asset to the team as a whole.