Why did you decide to become a teacher?: My mom was a science teacher and then college professor. I grew up with shadow boxes hanging on the walls full of butterflies, mice, beetles, etc.. We had chickens, rabbits, dogs, cats, birds, fish, gerbils, and ducks as pets. For two years, I hiked through Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas to collect daphnia (water fleas) for my mom's graduate thesis. My mom, even though she has passed away, will always be one of the main reasons I love science and teaching.

How long you been teaching?: 10 Years

Why did you decide to become a teacher?: Sounds corny but it was a "calling".  I was lead to it even before I knew I was going back into the workforce. Walked into a special education preschool classroom and dropped to my knees with kids on the floor.  I felt if I ever needed to go back to a profession this was it. A few years later my husband's health tanked and the rural EDNET program from Utah State became available at almost the same time - with a Federal grant to pay for it if I kept up grades.

This year because of the crazy weather the last week of school we had to have a volleyball game instead of the usual kickball game. Sixth-grade played well, but once again it was the teachers that won. Best of luck in Jr. High!

Max Neal and Matthew Scholl were the only two students that were at school every single day. They also never had a tardy any of the days. What an accomplishment. Several other students were recognized as well.