Academics

"So many people have invested in me and my success throughout my life. They have been family, friends, pastors, employers, and teachers. I teach as a way of giving back to the world, of paying-it-forward. I teach so that another generation will have doors of opportunity opened to them the way those doors were opened for me. I teach because every child should have someone who believes in them and encourages them. I teach because I can."

"I teach because I love learning. I love telling stories. I love watching students make connections with the past and relating it to the present. I love watching the learning process. I love seeing teens start to develop their own belief systems and starting to see the world through the eyes of a well-informed citizen. I love seeing students grow in empathy and understanding those around them."

"I teach to help myself and others develop. I love sharing my ideas and drawing out others' ideas. To get together people of different backgrounds, identities, and contexts and have an open discussion of a text, music, art, or law can lead to some very powerful connections - academically and personally. I teach because we need to share and create ideas with each other to form a better, more educated, and more empathetic community."

"MCI, its student body and I have been a darn good match but since I've never taught anywhere else for my 40 years in education, I can't say if I would love it as much somewhere else, but I suspect being here has made me love it more. I teach because I love it. It's selfish, really, but that's the truth. I love working with this age group, I love the challenges, I love planning and seeing those plans develop; I love watching kids grow up (as the only Spanish teacher, I have them for four years in some cases); and I love MCI."

"I teach because it's something that I feel like God has called me to do. I especially enjoy the opportunity to use my platform as a teacher and coach to encourage students and players.  I have seen firsthand how something as simple as encouragement can help a student become more determined to do their very best, more hopeful about their growth and potential, and more confident in what they can accomplish. All of these things
obviously help lead to success in the classroom, and on the court/field, but are also essential in succeeding at life after MCI."

"I firmly believe that education is the single strongest force that can change the world for the better. More than ever, the world needs informed critical thinkers and responsible global citizens. I teach because I want to help our students acquire the tools they need to succeed in building a more sustainable, peaceful, and inclusive future for all."

"Teaching was not what I originally thought I would be doing when I was eighteen, but I cannot imagine doing anything else. I teach because I had teachers and coaches who believed in what I could learn to be, but I also had teachers and coaches who did not have the patience to believe in what I could learn to be. No matter the challenge, I always do my best to remember at some point all my students will believe the same as I do - to believe they are capable of so much more than what their fifteen year old self believes. Working with the rest of the Science Department at MCI who feel the same as I do makes it the job even more enjoyable!"

“I teach because I want to instill in my students a passion for learning.  Learning never stops.  Every experience in life whether it is a positive or negative one can bring a learning experience.  I learn from my students as well - each student is an individual and by sharing their experiences, I have learned compassion, empathy and what true strength looks like.”