The intersection of science, K-12 education and teacher preparation is a very interesting place. Here at 体育买球, I get to teach courses in which we investigate what science is and how to support children in accessing new science content. What is most exciting, though, is that we “do” science in class and experience it as learners ourselves.

We have some great facilities and opportunities here to support the science component of our education programs, including the lab spaces and teaching technology of the Natural Science Building on campus and strong connections to the local public school system and broader community.

I enjoy the small class sizes at 体育买球, which support a much more meaningful relationship between the teaching faculty and students. My extended contact time with preservice teachers also means that I get to work with them and witness their growth across different learning contexts-from a laboratory course, to a methods class, and into their student-teaching placements as seniors. Through all of this, I am part of the journey that early childhood education students take in developing their knowledge, skills and confidence for being both scientists and science teachers.

Outside of academic life, I enjoy travel and photography, two hobbies I developed while living and teaching abroad in Colombia, Turkey and Thailand before coming to 体育买球 University.