Where did you grow up? Snowflake, Arizona (6 years), Gallup, New Mexico (8 years), and Ririe, Idaho (4 years).

What is your favorite food? Indian food, especially veggie coconut korma

What is your least favorite food? Anything too spicy

What is something unique or surprising about you? I have 149 first cousins, and I’m half Canadian.

What is your favorite subject to teach? All of them!! One reason I chose to teach elementary is that I get to teach it all. If I had to pick just one, I love read aloud.

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

Although I had many wonderful teachers, I especially love Susan Sterzer, my math teacher junior and senior year of high school. She had a way of making math relevant, of making it tangible, and of making her students feel capable, loved, and important.

Why did you choose to be a teacher? It seemed like a good idea at the time! Actually a lot of my family members are teachers, and it always seemed to be a worthwhile profession. When the time came to choose a major in college, I chose ELED because the classes all seemed interesting. It fit for me. And after I became a teacher, when I realized how hard it is and I questioned my decision, my God told me to continue teaching. I trust Him.

What would you like your students to remember this year? I want my students to remember the books we read together, me playing with them at recess, and us all learning together and experiencing some crazy things like starting a fire using chemical reactions (completely safe, I promise!), running a town for a day, and soaking me with water balloons. Most importantly, I want them to remember I love them.