Columbus Blue Jackets October 2023 Teacher of the Month
Tell us about yourself!
I am in my 24th year teaching at Southern Local. I have taught grades 5-8 science but I am now the district Gifted Coordinator/Intervention Specialist. I became a teacher because I love to watch kids grow. The look they have when something clicks and the lightbulb over their head lights up with understanding is my favorite expression. I also want to be there to support and be a role model for so many of our kids who don’t have positive, healthy relationships at home. My outside involvement include 4H advisor, Girl Scout leader, volleyball coach for my daughters youth league team, President of the Miller Band Boosters and my most passionate project is being President of the Southern Perry County Academic Endowment Fund, which awards money to our local students for higher education.
Who is your favorite NHL® player and why?
Rick Nash is one of my favorite players because he was an early Blue Jacket, he was fun to watch and just brought a sense of team pride and excitement to Nationwide Arena.
What is your favorite part of the Future Goals™program? How do you see STEM in the game of hockey?
My favorite part was introducing my students to hockey, when most will never see or play the game. STEM is an integral part of hockey because it explains EVERYTHING from the lack of friction on the ice, to the force behind a slap shot, to the angles of passing the puck off the boards!
If you played hockey, what position would you play and why?
Goalie…because I work well under pressure, like swatting at problems and they come, can be fierce when I need to be, and because I can’t stop on ice skates so I’d have the goal to lean on LOL!