Fort Dodge Senior High

What grade/subject do you teach?

Science

Why do you teach?

I teach because I want to prepare my students for success in their futures. I want them to think critically, be problem solvers and know how to communicate and collaborate with others. I want my students to realize their full potential and be good people.

What is your favorite part of the school day?

Making connections with students by talking to them about things that aren’t part of the learning I expect from them. I enjoy hearing about their weekends or what’s going well for them, and sometimes, what isn’t going well.

What are you working hardest on right now?

I’m working hardest on making sure that my classroom is accessible for all students — those in the building and those who may be working from home for different periods of time. It’s hard for students to keep up when they aren’t in the classroom, so if I can make sure they can still access labs and materials when they aren’t here, I feel like the transition back into the classroom becomes easier when they return.

What are you most proud of as a teacher?

Getting to celebrate successes with students and seeing them overcome something that is difficult for them. I see my physics students get stuck on difficult math equations, so to watch them persevere and figure out how to use the equations and to feel like they’ve accomplished something is fun for me, knowing that I had a small part in that.

What makes you happiest as a teacher?

The seniors that I have now were my first group of freshmen when I started at Senior High and it makes me happy to see how far they have come from where they were as ninth-graders. It’s truly rewarding to see the growth, maturity and independence they’ve developed throughout their time at FDSH.

How do you contribute to/how are you involved in our community outside of school?

Pre-COVID, I would try to get to as many Dodger activities as possible to support my students and colleagues. There’s nothing quite like a Friday night football game at Dodger Stadium or watching our talented students act, sing and dance in the spring musical.

What are your interests/hobbies outside of school?

My focus outside of school is my family. I spend most of my free time with my husband and two sons. I’m also fortunate to have my parents and in-laws in town so we spend quite a bit of time together too.

What do you wish your students/families knew about you?

I’m a Dodger through and through, and I still get chills every time I hear the A’Capella Choir sing the school hymn.

What does Together We Rise mean to you?

Everyone has something that they bring to the table and we are truly better when we work together and learn from one another.