The Kenan Fellow/Mentor partnership is the foundation of our program and what we do. What does this parternship mean to you?

What does the Kenan Fellow Mentor partnership mean to me? I believe this partnership is the foundation or crucial aspect of the Kenan experience. I remember when I received the for an invitation to interview with the Kenan Fellow’s Program. I was chaperoning an 8th grade field trip to D.C. and I was so nervous. I immediately asked my former colleague, Sue Deperno, what to expect. She was a 2013-2014 Kenan Fellow and really encouraged me to look into the program. I also remember when I received the phone call stating that I was a 2014-2015 Kenan Fellow. It was early April, and I yelled and screamed so loudly, I believe my neighbors must have thought I lost my mind. I was so anxious and nervous and did not know what to expect. My degree is in Biology, but I teach math. Hence, I felt that I would not know how or even remember what to do in a laboratory setting. My mentors, Dr. Stevens and Dr. Urban were so supportive and awesome. The rest of my team, “Team Dirt” was equally anxious about starting in the lab. We did not want to mess up anything. Julia was so patient and understanding and treated us as capable individuals. She treated us as equals and showed us respect. This was such a good feeling, because it seems as if the teaching profession is respected by everyone. She was such a great teacher and put so much confidence in our team. By the end of week three, we were running DNA extractions, created gels, setting up PCR reactions, and creating solutions all on our own. This experience has been on of the best experiences in my life. I loved working at the museum and everyone was extremely supportive. My mentor visited my classroom once and I plan to set up a google hangout.  Whenever I text or email her, she responds right away. I cannot thank the Kenan Fellow’s Program enough for choosing me to participate in such an awesome professional experience. This partnership has enabled me to grow as a professional and to become a more effective educator. Once you become a Kenan Fellow, your entire outlook changes.