Vegas Golden Knights Teacher Highlight and Most Valuable Teacher Nominee!

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

I started my teaching career as a guest teacher.  I thoroughly enjoyed my work as a guest teacher, so I decided to get my teaching license so I could make teaching my full-time career.  I loved working with kids so much that I completed the Alternate Route to Licensure Program using my biology degree and completing professional development and educational courses.

What has been your most memorable moment as a teacher?

I don’t have just one memorable moment as a teacher.  I have many great memories of my students participating in hands-on activities in class.  For example, when the students designed and built their personal devices that minimized heat transfer.  Their devices needed to prevent their “ice cubes” from melting.  I loved seeing their interesting and well thought out designs as well as their sense of accomplishment and pride before and after testing.  Another memorable moment is when my grade level department checks out human lungs from the American Lung Association to use when teaching the human body systems.  It’s one of the lessons  that previous students ask if I will be doing with future students.  

What is your favorite part of Future Goals and how are you using it in your classroom? 

My favorite part of future goals is that it is very intuitive and fun for students to use while learning STEM concepts and gives them exposure to a sport that is new to them.

What was your student’s reaction to the program?

My students’ reaction to Future Goals was excitement as the students love gaming.   Some of my students aren’t familiar with the game of hockey in that professional hockey & the NHL is relatively new to the City of Las Vegas.  Future Goals incorporates STEM concepts as well as introducing students to the hockey fundamentals in an engaging, interactive, and fun way.   

Who is your favorite player?

Ryan Reaves is my favorite NHL player because he is an excellent hockey player and a fierce competitor that does a lot for the Las Vegas community.  I love that he is trying to make hockey more diverse in order to give minority kids role models and exposure to the game of hockey.