Tell us about yourself!

With 19 years of dedicated experience, I am a passionate STEM educator at my alma mater, molding young minds with enthusiasm. My mission is to instill a love for science in students through an engaging and interactive learning environment that fosters curiosity and exploration. Guided by the belief in the power of curiosity and independent thinking, I strive to empower the next generation of scientists and innovators. I have successfully written 367 projects on DonorsChoose.org. I actively pursue professional development opportunities and collaborate with the Chicago Botanical Garden Fuse (Boeing) . and  Green Box Machine. I teach at a remarkable school in Chicago, where my diverse student body comprises approximately 88% Latino and 12% African American students.

Who is your favorite NHL® player and why?

My favorite NHL player is Connor Bedard. He is very talented on the ice and admired by many. I admire him because of his compassionate and kind-hearted off-ice actions. I was deeply moved when I learned about the time he gifted a teddy bear to a six-year-old girl undergoing a kidney transplant. It’s inspiring to see athletes use their platform to make a positive impact on the lives of others. This act of kindness has made me appreciate him not just as a hockey player but as a role model.

What is your favorite part of the Future Goals™program? How do you see STEM in the game of hockey?

If you played hockey, what position would you play and why?

If I played hockey, I believe I would choose to be a goalie. My inclination towards playing as a goalie stems from my ability to pay attention to detail and my ability to focus on the task at hand. As a goalie, I would take pride in the responsibility of preventing the puck from entering the goal. While other positions in hockey may demand a more aggressive style of play, I feel that I will not be successful in the other roles.