I teach students Biology at Kamiak and have been teaching Biology, Chemistry, Advanced Biology, Physical Sciences, and all levels of math in my various teaching positions over the past decades.  I feel so lucky to work with students and improve students' abilities to think and do science. I strive to create an environment where all students will be able to communicate, collaborate, think and do science as scientists. Science is a process that encourages us to think about what we don’t know and how we might go about developing questions to examine these unknowns (especially the natural world that surrounds us as a community and a citizen of the earth) collect evidence, use reasoning, and discuss and share our logic. What I enjoy most is that science is a hands-on endeavor that requires all senses to make sense of our world and universe. I am inspired by the complexity and mess!

Students feel comfortable in my classroom taking risks and making mistakes because lessons are student centered, based on inquiry, and are differentiated based on interests, choices, and needs. Students know that I care about them, and acknowledge that at least I remember what it was like to be a teenager. We were not born mature, and we mature as we learn, all of us.

Even with well planned lessons, and using district standards that reflect national standards, I allow room for learning to occur outside of these boundaries. Questions, opportunities, and life all change every day. Indeed it is complex being a teenager, student, parent, and learner - and is a complete joy for me to be a part of as a Kamiak Science Teacher!