As a girl from the South and as the oldest of five children, I have always found family and personal connection important. I grew up in a house filled with laughter, bickering, and a whole lot of projects. I chose to study engineering after many years of helping my dad with a variety of ventures. From building a chicken coop to laying hardwood floors to re-landscaping the garden each year, I attribute any and all of my resourcefulness to the years learning from my handy-man father. One of the most incredible aspects of the Auburn Family is the intersection of community and education that students are encouraged to participate in. This overlap allowed me to continue to grow my knowledge and technical skills while establishing meaningful relationships with professors, fellow students, and Auburn locals, who supported me in pursuing my aspirations.
A wide range of engineering applications of ecology and sustainability intrigue me; however, since the spring of 2019, I have developed a growing excitement for the possibility of contributing to the world as an educator. Although the potential for incorporation of more sustainable practices in the engineering industry is extensive, the cruciality of education to sustain our world is undeniable. This, once subtle, desire led me to apply to graduate school at UNC - Chapel Hill to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching, in hopes of assisting the next generation in discovering their passions and promoting the accomplishment of their goals.
While my experience at UNC was advantageous in providing me with tangible skills for teaching such as lesson planning, classroom management, time management, and differentiation, I realized my desire to teach at a higher level. With a background in biosystems engineering, a passion for sustainability, and a highly ranked bio and ag engineering program 25 miles away, I decided to investigate NC State as a potential for continuing my studies. Thankfully, I was offered a research assistantship on a project that intrigued me, and I began my Masters in Biological and Agricultural Engineering in August of 2022. I've learned invaluable skills through my research at NC State. However, this journey has confirmed my excitement for mentoring and teaching college students in the environmental sciences arena.
Throughout my high school career, I had one specific teacher who challenged me to consider the possibility of being great. She didn't allow me to settle for mediocrity during the four years she taught me, and she still reaches out to encourage me to follow the path God has for me. Rarely have I come across such intentionality as this teacher demonstrated, and I believe the world needs more of it. Toting along a variety of skills from my personal and academic experiences, I hope to bring comparable fervor to the classroom.
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