Science Autobiography

Why do I want to be a Bio teacher? Well, I honestly didn't come to that realization until last year, when I was a Junior here at CSULB. Up until that point, I had many encounters w/ science that made me appreciate it as more than just doing experiments in a lab, which people often think of when they think of "science." I remember the 3rd and then the 5th grade were years when I took many field trips to Los Angeles and San Francisco (I was an Air Force brat, so I claim both Northern and Southern California as my home). We visited the tar pits and various museums and science centers. To me, science was fun, interactive; it was life. In high school, there were only two science classes that I really enjoyed--Biology and Anatomy/Physiology. They quickly became my two favorite classes. The material was interesting and could apply to the world around me... and I was good at learning it. I was top in both classes, studying and memorizing because it was so fascinating. Everything we learned went far deeper and more complex than our eyes could see. When it came time to choose a major for college, without hesitation I chose Biology and to this day there is nothing I'd rather study more.

I knew right away that the route that every other Bio major wanted to go (medical school, becoming a doctor) wasn't for me. My passion was more for learning the material just for the sake of learning and growing. People suggested I become a teacher ever since I was a freshman in college, but up until last year, I always sneered at the idea, somehow thinking that I was better than that. It was very humbling when I finally consider the idea again and actually became excited at the idea. I'd been hoping to find something to do with my life that I could be passionate for, and I was so grateful that I seemed to have finally found it. When I think about the teacher I want to be, part of it is a combination of my two favorite teachers in high school: both women, both went above and beyond to teach the material, both I got to know outside of the classroom. Biology and Anatomy were actually taught by the same teacher, and she had a fire in her for the subjects. Something else that made me respect her was her passion for the Lord. She was a Christian, the adviser for the Bible Club and our Junior class. She was a mother and acted like a mother towards all of us. My other favorite teacher was my math teacher, and she also taught almost all the math courses I took: Algebra 2, Trig, and AP Calculus. So I got to know her very well from freshman to senior year. This lady was our mentor, giving us advice about college, scholarships, jobs, and life. She valued education, and pushed us to be our best and make something of ourselves. I want a little of them to live through me and I want to change the lives of my students the way those women changed me. I want to teach science specifically to show my students that they don't need to be intimidated by it. I want to offer them the opportunity to be amazed by the beauty of the world around them, and show them that you don't need to be a genius to "do science," just be curious and passionate. My hope is to stir up interest in students that are considered "minorities" and encourage them to pursue their dreams.

My Wedding: The 1st dance

Last night, John and I were on our way back from the LA County Fair and we were listening to his IPOD which had a collection of songs that had helped him get through the months we were apart over the summer while he was on a mission trip in East Asia. One song captured my heart and brought me to tears, and I decided that it is the 1st song I want to dance to with John when we become husband and wife in January. It's by a band called Something Like Silas, which is transitioning to becoming Future of Forestry. It's called "Spirit Waltz." Beautiful song.

"Your cup of grace is deeper than,

Is deeper than the ocean...

Your strong embrace is wider than,

Is wider than the sky...

Jesus, my heart cannot break enough

For Your love, a well that runs deep

within my soul...

Your perfect words go further than,

Go further than tomorrow...

And when my world shakes you pull me through

You pull me through the storm...

Jesus, my heart cannot break enough

For Your love, a well that runs deep

within my soul...