Now in my 22^nd year of teaching in the public school system, I look back and know there is no better profession out there for me.  From playing school with my teddy bears and set of encyclopedias in my childhood dining room at the age of 6 to standing on a stage in Washington D.C. receiving an award from the National Science Foundation at the age of 38, it has been an amazing journey every step of the way. 
 
Each day (like you, if you’re a teacher), I awake with big plans, and thoughts about how I can make my lessons and my students’ experience in my class the best possible.  I arrive at school and am greeted by colleagues who have chosen the same career and spend time with those who are as passionate as I am about teaching and learning.  I greet my students and we go to work. My job is to facilitate their learning and I think I’ve become pretty good at doing that through the years. 
 
And that is how I came to be here, at TransformYourClassroom.net.  My school day now also includes trying, testing, refining and re-testing activities that motivate, engage, and challenge my students.  I video my classes, and then watch those videos at the end of the day, analyzing and reflecting:  What went well?  What didn’t?  How can I make this lesson or activity better?  I photograph my progress.  The activities that work the best to enhance student learning end up here, in our workshops. 
 
Because I’m getting older, people have started asking me how many years I have left, how soon can I take the early retirement package and run!   But, honestly, I can’t imagine my life without my school. I still love what I do.  And as long as I love it, I’m going to be good at it.  And as long as I’m good at it, I might as well stay!  Thanks for reading and I hope to work with you soon at one of our events.