I began teaching science at Olympus Junior High School in Holladay in 1998, after receiving my Masters in Teaching degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Evergreen has a unique teaching philosophy which empowers students to take ownership of their own learning. I've applied that philosophy to my own classroom, and it works remarkably well.
I grew up in Utah, Oregon and Washington at various times, and changed schools often. I saw many different ways of teaching, and it taught me to never settle in to one method. I continue to pursue more education and experiences, including my GT endorsement and an Educational Technology endorsement. I've been married for 25 years now, and have two wonderful children.
At Olympus Junior, I have taught 7th, 8th and 9th grade integrated science, Earth Systems and Biology, including Honors and GT at all three levels. I have been the lucky recipient of many grants for technology in my classroom, beginning with 5 laptops in 2002 to currently having labs of 38 iPads and Chromebooks for all of my students to use. I'm a strong believer in using grants to supplement the meager classroom funding we receive in Utah. I currently have my dream classroom (though smaller class sizes wouldn't hurt either!).
In September of 2010, and then again in September of 2017, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. I completed treatment (chemo, radiation, surgeries) by the following year, and am glad to still be here! Since then, I have pursued many hobbies I just couldn't get around to previously. I now play guitar in a rock band through my guitar school, have a black belt and teach karate, and just all around try to get more out of life.
I served as President of the Utah Science Teachers Association from 2010 to 2014. I received the University of Utah Young Alumni Association's Educator of the Year Award in 2000, the Excel Outstanding Educator Award in 2005, Granite School District Teacher of the Year in 2007, and the Utah Science Teacher's Association Environmental Science Teacher of the Year Award in 2008. I also received the Salt Lake County Commission on Youth Award in 2015, and am Utah's Air Force Association Teacher of the Year for 2018. Last year I became a National Board Certified Teacher in Science and a National Geographic Certified Teacher. I am currently serving as a Utah Teacher Fellow.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it! :)
I grew up in Utah, Oregon and Washington at various times, and changed schools often. I saw many different ways of teaching, and it taught me to never settle in to one method. I continue to pursue more education and experiences, including my GT endorsement and an Educational Technology endorsement. I've been married for 25 years now, and have two wonderful children.
At Olympus Junior, I have taught 7th, 8th and 9th grade integrated science, Earth Systems and Biology, including Honors and GT at all three levels. I have been the lucky recipient of many grants for technology in my classroom, beginning with 5 laptops in 2002 to currently having labs of 38 iPads and Chromebooks for all of my students to use. I'm a strong believer in using grants to supplement the meager classroom funding we receive in Utah. I currently have my dream classroom (though smaller class sizes wouldn't hurt either!).
In September of 2010, and then again in September of 2017, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. I completed treatment (chemo, radiation, surgeries) by the following year, and am glad to still be here! Since then, I have pursued many hobbies I just couldn't get around to previously. I now play guitar in a rock band through my guitar school, have a black belt and teach karate, and just all around try to get more out of life.
I served as President of the Utah Science Teachers Association from 2010 to 2014. I received the University of Utah Young Alumni Association's Educator of the Year Award in 2000, the Excel Outstanding Educator Award in 2005, Granite School District Teacher of the Year in 2007, and the Utah Science Teacher's Association Environmental Science Teacher of the Year Award in 2008. I also received the Salt Lake County Commission on Youth Award in 2015, and am Utah's Air Force Association Teacher of the Year for 2018. Last year I became a National Board Certified Teacher in Science and a National Geographic Certified Teacher. I am currently serving as a Utah Teacher Fellow.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it! :)