As a middle school U.S. History, it has been my calling to teach, interest, and engage young teens to have appreciation for the country in which we live. Encouraging students to understand the costs, sacrifices, and determination it has taken for us to be the country we are today is important to me.

Studying and understanding the events of our past and their impact on us today motivates me to share this with my students. I desire for my students to be impactful citizens in their communities when they grow up and to understand how to best fulfill that role in their lives. Being able to have this opportunity has given me a deeper love and appreciation for freedoms, liberties, and opportunities that I have been afforded my whole life. How can I not be grateful and want to promote a strong sense of patriotism in my students as well?

I have a fantastic opportunity to lead a student trip to our nation's capital every summer for my students where I am able to teach, share, and explore many great parts of our nation's past, present, and future. In doing so, I hope to spread a love of country and patriotism that I believe is essential in encouraging teens to take an active role in the preservation and growth America. I also encourage them to participate in a national essay contest put on by the VFW. This program is called "Patriot's Pen." The VFW offers monetary prizes to top students who best articulate the importance of patriotism and citizenship. Many of my students have not only participated, but have been recognized, some nationally, for their work. Continuing to have my students participate in this is important to me!