why did you choose Tulip as your nature name?
My grandparents lived in the Northwest and I loved seeing the tulips when I visited them - tons and tons of them, all different colors and textures (unlike the red and yellow ones I saw in the southern grocery stores). I loved how they had straight, strong stems, and stood up nice and tall. I wanted to be Tulip so I could remember to be like them.
How long have you been working in education?
This is my 18th year teaching.
What grades/ subjects have you taught? Do you have a favorite?
I've taught 4th and 5th graders, all subjects. I've loved each for different reasons, but my favorite has always been math/science.
How would you describe your teaching style? How does it align with or compare to T.R.E.E.'s?
I hope to create a community where kids feel comfortable taking risks, working through struggles, celebrating differences, and sharing learning moments. I want to be there to guide students to discover new things and feel a sense of ownership and mastery of their learning.
What's your favorite part of/ memory from a T.R.E.E. program?
I love building relationships with my students during our time at Sunship Earth. Chatting over a meal, talking while walking the trails, laughing over a shared joke, sharing an "ah ha" moment, listening to a revelation, simply sitting together at a campfire. Those are the special moments.
If you could give new educators one piece of advice, what would it be?
Work hard. Be as kind to yourself as you are to your students and their families. Find someone you trust that can listen well. Celebrate the little moments.
What do you like best about being an educator?
I appreciate the little moments. I can get overwhelmed by the big stuff, so I like to focus on the little moments that make each day special. A smile. The joy of solving something hard. The determination to keep going when it's tough. Laughter. The decision to own a mistake. The choice to help someone else.