Kelly-Ann, UR - A lost woman finding herself

     Unlike many of my classmates, I am not an environmental science major.  I am here because I want to be an Earth/space science teacher.  I wish I could say I was one of those dedicated future teachers that always knew what their calling was, but that would be a lie.  I was lost on what I wanted to do with my life for a long time after high school.  I came to Daytona State thinking I would go into the culinary program.  By a twist of fate, I couldn't get into the program my first semester.  Desperate not to wait any longer, I decided to take general AA classes until I could get into the program.  I never tried again.

     After my first semester, I realized the only reason I had hastily chosen to go into the culinary certificate program was because I did not think I was capable of getting a degree.  I didn't believe I was smart enough, however my grades proved me wrong.  I did well and continued to do so.  My future became a lot less narrow.

Daytona State Intro to Professional Teaching Class Fall 2016

     I was still lost, taking a variety of electives trying to find what would make me happy.  One of those happened to be a prerequisite to the education program, which required me to spend time in a K-12 classroom.  On my third day in the field classroom I knew I had found my calling.  Just watching the students get involved and seeing the light in their eye when they mastered a new concept moved me.

     Soon I found myself part of a team of amazing and passionate students and professors that have helped me along my journey.  The more classes I take and spend time in field classrooms teaching students, the more I am happy with my decision.  I chose to major in secondary Earth/space science because it is a field I have always enjoyed.  Since I am passionate about the subject, it is easy for me to channel that energy into my lessons to make them engaging and entertaining for my students.

Dead fish in an algae bloom
 https://assets.rbl.ms/6781323/980x.jpg

     For my independent research project I would like to track the amount of nitrogen in the St. Johns river near Ed Stone Park and Lake George.  High levels in nitrogen in freshwater can cause algae blooms, which creates an anaerobic environment, causing local marine organism to suffocate.  There has been several algae blooms on the St. Johns river in the past.  

     The St. Johns river is a popular fishing location and one of the waterways that manatees use during their yearly migration.  It is also one of the rare rivers that flow north.  I get to experience the beauty of the St. Johns river on a daily basis, I don't want to see it ruined for future generations.