Proven Success

All of my degrees, certifications, and experiences have led me to where I am professionally and have contributed to a positive outcome for both myself and my students. I have experienced growth in both content knowledge and pedagogy, with each feeding into and enhancing the other. My undergraduate degree gave me a solid foundation in kinesiology, while my master's degree has given me a more in-depth understanding of biology. Stepping into the classroom revealed the complexity of translating that knowledge into meaningful learning experiences for students. My Google and IT certifications have also played a role in my professional growth. They equipped me with the tools to leverage technology effectively in the classroom and cater to diverse learning styles. Leadership and public speaking have further enriched my teaching, whether it is presenting at professional development workshops or mentoring new teachers. The success of my classes, my department, and my school could not be possible without the collaboration of other educators. Collaborating with other teachers, even ones not from my district has opened up new resources, new material, and new methods of covering topics that I would not have thought of otherwise. This has led to a very positive change in the educator I am now versus the one that I started out my career as. 

I became the biology department head in 2020, and we have been very successful since this transition. I have been in charge of the following:

• Lead department meetings

• Construct year-long pacing guides

• Analyze department data as a whole and individually

• Manage and order supplies and equipment

• Keep up to date on state standards and testing methods

• Collaborate with other biology teachers from different districts in order to grasp a better understanding of our standards and how to approach teaching them to our students in a timely manner.