Wider Perspectives

As an SPS intern at the American Association of Physics Teachers, I learned more than I could have ever expected. I came to Washington D.C. in May with a basic understanding of the Minnesota state education, and I had never been required to think beyond that district and state level. This summer was all about stretching me to wider perspectives. I am now looking at issues on a broader national and systemic level. I was fortunate enough to not be focused on one project this summer but to be involved in several with various goals. My projects ranged from grants working to increase the number of women in physics to influencing the perception of teaching as a whole in our society and designing a professional development experience for K-8 teachers at the AAPT Summer Meeting. Most importantly, through all of my different projects this summer, I have built relationships that will support me the rest of my life. I have worked with influential individuals that have already began to guide and advocate for me within the community more than I could have asked. With that, I know my experience this summer has shaped my career path. While I know that I will be teaching in my own high school physics classroom in just a few weeks, I do not know where I will be in ten years, but wherever that is, I know I will get there with the help of the community of people I have met this summer who support me, along with my own determination and hard work. I ultimately cannot wait to see what that looks like.