I started teaching at LAMS in the fall of 2010 and have been here ever since. I adore teaching middle school - I believe these students are at a pivotal time in life: they are learning so much about themselves and the world at large. I remember my own middle school years better than my high school years, and I can honestly say that the things I learned there laid the foundation for so many things I would learn later on. My middle school teachers helped me understand that I had wings, and that I could fly better than I thought I could:

• From Mrs. Kilgore, my ELA teacher, I learned, among other things, that although teachers can seem perfect, super-strict, and maybe even a little intimidating, they are human. She had a really bad headache one day, and called me up to her podium. I didn't know it at the time, but I am guessing it was a migraine. She whispered to ask me who was talking, cautioning me not to let on that she was asking. This was the teacher I was sure had eyes in the back of her head - literally! She used fun projects to teach us ELA skills, and I have adopted some of those projects into my own teaching.

• From Mr. Rostamo, my Texas history teacher, I learned that there are two sides to a story, and you will understand the story and the issue better when you can look at it from both sides, whether or not you agree with both sides. He used so many discussions to get us thinking, and he wanted, really wanted, to hear our opinions. I'm not sure I would have ever considered what the Mexican army and Santa Anna were thinking or what they wanted if it hadn't been for Mr. Rostamo. Between him and my dad, I learned to think critically and enjoy debate.

• From Mrs. Leach, my math teacher, I learned that even when you think a subject is hard, a great teacher can make you want to learn it and do well in it. I started in a lower math class, but because we worked at our own pace, and I'd heard so much good about Mrs. Leach, I pushed myself to get into her class - and made it. This also taught me that when I put my mind to something, I could do more than I thought I could.

Bottom line, my hope is that I can give my students the same understanding of the power of their wings, and the ability to use them to fly higher than they have ever imagined!