My most memorable teacher was my 4th grade teacher.  Her name was Mrs. Leale.  She was very sweet, spoke to us like we were people, and planned fun activities for us.  I remember my friend was in another class and her class did not do this major art project.  My class did. We got to build totem poles as part of our Native American unit.  Mrs. Leale also helped me get organized. I try to pay this forward by helping my students stay/get organized as well.  Mrs. Leale passed away a few years ago of cancer. I see her daughter sometimes around town and always say hello.  When she told me that her mother had passed, I made a point to tell her how much I appreciated her mom and what a great teacher she was.

I am passionate about people.  Everything I enjoy involves being with people.  Teaching is about helping learn and grow. I believe that skills and knowledge are the most valuable gifts you can give someone.  Photography involves people.  Looking at am picture can help someone heal, help someone mourn, inspire someone to create, to think, to rethink, and to see things differently.

I am passionate about experiences. New experiences create new memories, and I love making memories with family and friends.  Connecting with others makes me feel alive.  Materials things are easily discarded, but friends and family are priceless.  My grandmother taught me that. An experience is only as good as the people you are with. I love traveling and meeting new people. I want to learn as much as I can from others so that I may learn more about myself.  Each of my friends and family members adds something to my life.

I am passionate about my marriage.  While my husband and I had a tumultuous relationship for many years (growing pains), he is my biggest cheerleader. He does not stand on the sidelines with pom poms, but cooks, cleans and does laundry while I am out photographing, teaching zumba, and getting a doctorate.

If I wasn’t a teacher, I would be a full-time photographer.  I crave a creative outlet and enjoy being surrounded by beauty and light.  If If I wasn’t teaching, I would be a professional dancer.  I love music and movement, and the emotion it can provoke.  Dancing is like therapy.

If I wasn’t a teacher, I would be publicist.  I am good at organizing and follow through, and can’t handle many tasks on my plate at once. I am interested in the media and critically examining how media swallow up those who have achieved fame.  I think it would be interesting to work along side someone who was a public figure.

If I wasn’t a teacher, I would be a graphic designer, and play on Adobe Photoshop all day! Need I say more??

If I wasn’t a teacher, I would be a travel blogger, and visit new and exotic places while documenting my travels.  I would also focus on food.

If I wasn’t a teacher, I would be a diplomat, taking the international political community by storm. I would want to oversee the mission of ending world hunger and poverty.

But I am a teacher, and I hope that I can inspire my students and community to follow their big dreams!

The following are the Blog Topics for FNES 636:

1. Choosing a Career Path

2. My Passions

3. A Book I Would Love to Write

4. A Memorable Teacher

5. Hitting the Jackpot!!