Content: 6-8 Personal Life Skills/ English Collaboration
School: Hines Middle
Years Taught: 24

What do you love most about teaching?
What I love most about teaching is the ability to speak life into our youth, educating them with the tools they need to live in today's society, and giving them the love and support.

What is the best way to describe your classroom on a typical day?
The best way to describe a typical day in my classroom is genuine, consistent, enhancing, and inspiring.

Content: Self-Contained Autism
School: Gildersleeve Middle
Years Taught: 34

Why are you passionate about supporting fellow teachers?
I know that many teachers are not prepared to teach the Autism population. Because I am so passionate about these students and their varied needs, I want to be a source of support and lend an experienced ear to anyone who is struggling to reach the student on the spectrum. I am happy to answer any questions, as well as show the process I go through when I am dealing with a challenging situation. I want my fellow teachers to know that all situations are unique, that we never know what is exactly at the root of the problem, that we must learn how to assess the situation and brainstorm solutions, and, therefore, it is OK to seek help from a fellow teacher.

What is the best way to describe your classroom on a typical day?
The best way to describe my typical day is to say that it is never typical! Each day is different because environmental stimuli often dictate the moods and behaviors of my students. We follow a schedule that is always visible to everyone; however, if we find that the schedule needs to be modified, we are able to build in supports for our students in order to make the change a smooth one.

Content: SID
School: Passage Middle
Years Taught: 7

What do you love most about teaching?
I love teaching because it gives me a sense of purpose. It allows me to engage with the future generation and be a positive role model.

What word best describes you as a teacher and why?
Empathetic. I have learned that each of my students possesses unique needs and abilities that deserve understanding. I have experienced various challenges within the classroom that I've overcome by assessing and adapting to the circumstances, leading to a positive learning outcome.

Content: Collaborative Math 6
School: Gildersleeve Middle
Years Taught: 6

What do you love most about teaching?
I love watching students who have traditionally struggled in math grow to love it! It brings me joy to watch students who have never gone up to the board to show work now excited to go in front of their peers to work out problems.

What word best describes you as a teacher and why?
Passionate because I advocate and fight for my students every day.