What is your teacher bliss?

When I hear students talking to each other about something happening in the lab, talking about particles, using chemistry vocabulary, it makes my day.

What is the hardest thing about teaching?

All the things that take up time that don’t feel like teaching, especially duties and meetings.

No names—describe your worst teaching experience.

In my first week as a teacher, a  High School student ate a houseplant in my room, I sent him to the nurse when he told me he’d eaten the plant, and then the nurse called me to ask if the plant was poisonous, which I did not know, and she yelled at me for not knowing and “letting” him eat a plant! 

What is your dream vacation?

Basically anywhere I have not been yet, but the list includes destinations in Africa, South Pacific islands, Iceland, Italy, Peru…

What would your students be surprised to find out about you?

I am a huge introvert and have big social anxiety, yet I chose a career to be in front of people every day!

What are your favorite summer break activities?

In the summer I love to travel, walk around new cities, hike new mountains, and play Pokemon Go with friends and family.

What is your advice for students?

Engage with your learning, try not to do things just to get them done, have an authentic experience, education is such a gift.