Major: Geology

Minor: UF Teach

Graduate: 2015

I was born in the United Kingdom and came to the United States when I was ten years old. Growing up, I always had a connection with children younger than me. I enjoyed teaching science to them way ahead of what they were learning in the classroom. Once I was old enough, I was constantly volunteering and working with children of all ages.

I want to teach because every time a student “gets it,” I feel a moment of sheer joy where I managed to pass on knowledge and concepts that they understand. I have had wonderful teachers and I want to be good to my future students. My best moment as a teacher was when this student was struggling to do the lab correctly. They were having difficulty with expanding a balloon with water vapor and I got them to make some hypotheses why the balloon wasn’t expanding. Turns out a tiny hole was the culprit, but the best part was how even though they didn’t get to do the original lesson, they managed to get another lesson from it and still aced the test that the lab was on.

My internship has placed me at the Florida Museum of Natural History. I’m assisting the Public Programs Coordinator and designing a curriculum guide for the summer camps they have. I’m enjoying the fact that I have the responsibility to create a good course calendar that the kids will enjoy and learn from.

The Noyce Program has pushed me into some good company, as the rest of us are going through the same program. Listening to each other when we have our discussions or running into each other at our designated areas is building our support network. I know if I were to struggle with something, I have people to turn to.