Who/what inspired you to enter into the education field?
I have always loved history, but I have had several wonderful teachers who inspired me to want to teach. Most of all, my mom is a teacher and I have seen first hand how much she loved her students and how passionate she was about her content.
Tell us about your family? (children, pets, etc)
I am married to my high school sweetheart Luke (also a teacher) and we have two girls, Allison (age 14), and Everly (4 years old). We also have two cats, Felix and Shelia.
What is your Teacher Leader Mission? YOUR WHY in the classroom? How do you #LeadTheCHARGE daily?
I want to create a love for learning, so that the learning never stops, even after they leave my classroom.
What is one attribute of leadership that you think is critical to possess as a Teacher Leader? Why?
Flexibility, our field changes so much and the needs of students are constantly evolving. We have to be able to adjust as well.
What are ways that you engage families as part of the learning in your classroom/school?
I love when I have opportunities for the students to go home and interview their families (parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles) about topics we discuss. It is always neat to get those different perspectives and to keep parents in the loop of what we are learning.
What “fingerprint” or lasting impression do you want to leave at your school or on your students?
That learning doesn’t stop when the school bell rings.
How do you maximize the strengths of those around you?
Don’t always feel like things have to be done your way (even in your classroom), and actually setting aside time for working with other educators. As an educator, we can constantly look for new tools and strategies for teaching. Being open to new ideas, and planning for opportunities for collaboration is so important.
What do you like most about teaching?
The students, hands down.
