Laura

I knew I was called to teach, but rather than majoring in Education, I took those courses as electives and majored in my area of interest and expertise, Biology. My B.A. in Biology reflects my interest in social sciences and languages over mathematics. (Yes, it's possible to have a career teaching the life sciences without having taken Calculus in my youth.) As a life-long learner myself, it is my goal to challenge, and in some cases, ignite native curiosity in my students. Using evidence to create reasonable, rational, testable explanations has applications far beyond a science class. Scientific literacy is vital in the 21st Century. There is so much information out there. Being able to determine the validity of a claim; look for bias in the data presented; assess the reliability of sources; winnow the wheat from the chaff; allows students to become a part of an educated electorate that can understand complex science based issues, we all are facing.

Most of my spare time is spent working with service dogs in training. I've been working as a puppy-raiser volunteer for over 5 years and am currently enjoying my 23rd dog! It's a great experience to have a small part in providing a dog that will change the life of a disabled individual. Going to the beach - to look for "treasures", to pick up litter, to fish, or to just sit and enjoy the beauty around me - is how I charge my emotional batteries. I enjoy spending time with my friends, my husband, and our four grown sons, their wives, and our three grandsons.