What did you do after Valley? Where did your life take you? 

Right after Valley, I attended GCU and majored in Secondary Education for Mathematics. While there, I was an RA and tutored Math at the GCU K12 Learning Lounge. Right after finishing my coursework, I came back to Valley and started teaching Geometry and Pre-Calculus in January 2022. I always knew I wanted to come back to Valley to teach, so I am so thankful God opened the doors to make that dream a reality.

Tell us a little about your daily work:

I am now serve as the Pre-Calculus and Advanced Math Topics teacher at Valley Christian Schools’ high school campus. I also get to serve as the Math Department Head and the Producer of Chapel for the High School. I love getting to work with the upperclassmen and pour into their lives as I pour out my love for the Lord and Mathematics. My favorite part of my job is the conversations I get to have with students outside of the math lessons, where I get to encourage them in their life and walk with the Lord.

What’s one surprising thing we don’t know about you?

I just finished my Masters in Mathematics for Secondary Education! I also love to lead worship at my church, Grace Community Church.

While you were at VCS, which teachers, coaches or classmates had the biggest impact on you?

Countless teachers and friends made Valley a place that I loved and wanted to return to; for example, Mrs. Marianne Heim in choir and chorale and Ms. Kelly Clausen in Physical Science. However, the teachers who had the biggest impact on my life trajectory, were Mr. Al Nelson and Mrs. Robyn Dyer. I went into high school knowing I wanted to be a teacher, but it wasn’t until attending their math classes that I knew I wanted to teach math. Mr. Nelson’s Geometry class Freshman year was the first time I truly enjoyed a math class. He partnered me with a struggling student in class who I helped tutor all year long. This is how I realized I loved explaining math. Mrs. Dyer’s Algebra 2 class was the first time Algebra truly clicked and I realized what kind of teacher I wanted to be – one who loved my students, loved the Lord, and loved breaking down math concepts in a way students could understand. I remember having so much fun in Mr. Nelson’s 8th period Pre-Calc class laughing and learning with my friends and being pushed to learn math concepts I never thought I would be capable of understanding. I remember talking to Mr. Nelson my Senior year right before he passed about wanting to be a Math teacher, but I wasn’t sure I could get through all the difficult math classes. He was the one who encouraged me that I could do it and believed in me. Getting to now work in the Al Nelson STEM building, teaching the classes Mr. Nelson taught me, working underneath Robyn Dyer as a mentor, and taking over as Department Head after Robyn Dyer retired has been the biggest and most surreal blessing.

How do you stay connected with your friends from Valley and with VCS?

I obviously stay VERY connected with Valley working here, but I also am still very close with my friends from high school. There was a group of about 8 of us who ate lunch together in Mrs. Dyer’s room every day who still get together every couple months. The running joke with my family is which Valley friend group I’m going to hang out with – my work Valley friends, or my high school Valley friends. In so many ways, Valley is my family and community and I am so thankful for all the relationships that have come both from attending VCS and working here.

What’s one lasting memory you have of VCS?

Some of my favorite memories come from eating lunches in Mrs. Dyer’s room with my friends Sophomore through Senior year.

Do you have any advice for current students?

My current advice for students is take advantage of the time you have at Valley. Four years go by so quickly. Don’t get caught in the business that you forget to be thankful and stop for the little moments. Take the time to have deep conversations with your teachers who love the Lord and love you deeply. Pay attention in Bible class and chapels – you never know when the Holy Spirit will bring up something you learned later on right when you need it. Invest in good friendships because they can last for a lifetime. Step out of your comfort zone and talk to your friends about your faith while you’re in a safe place to talk about it. And above all else, love the Lord with everything you have while you are around other believers day in and day out who love you and will encourage you in your walk.

Is there anything else you want us to know?

Bleed blue for life!