I chose chemistry because I had a teacher in high school (Mr. Collins) who always challenged me to do better, even when I was already getting an A. I was a teaching assistant in college for a nursing school chemistry course and I loved adapting the labs to have a medical context. A few of my professors (Dr. Dunlap and Dr. Antol at SMC) encouraged me to seek out a minor in education and seriously consider teaching. I went to graduate school and worked in a program where I was able to work in Chicago Public School classrooms. I loved sharing science with the students. One day, I had students put on white lab coats and put their name as Dr. ____ on the board as they reported their results, and one of my 7th graders said they didn't know they could become a doctor. In 2005, I had to have brain surgery and I realized that life was too short to not pursue your dreams. From my hospital bed, I remember telling my dad that I was going to pursue a Ph.D. in Learning Sciences and go into education. It became my life's work to turn this around- show that science is for everyone and that it is a tool to answer life's questions and not a gatekeeper.