I am a slightly nerdy girl who loves hiking, camping, state fairs, museums, and other ridiculously wholesome sounding activities. I am from the midwest, and the most common adjective people use to describe me is "sweet." I know I do come across as innocent and naive. It's not that I don't know about the terrible things that go on in the world -- I just choose to approach life in a positive way.

I am kind of a homebody. I love to go out and experience life, but it's always nice to come back to a quiet place at the end of the day.

I grew up in a little house in the middle of the woods in Indiana. I learned to love the outdoors at an early age, and I've never managed to escape the curiosity and love of science. I've been teaching science -- both in museums and in the classroom -- for the last four years, and I'm now going to grad school to get certified to teach. I love working with children; it's so much fun to see them get excited about a subject I love so much. I feel so strongly that good education is the right of every person; working in DC, I saw how unjust our current educational system is. I will be a lifelong teacher.

I'm good at listening and being nonjudgmental. I hear so many stories, from friends and from students, and I really do want to help. I don't make assumptions about people, and I give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

My friends say I have a big vocabulary. I don't think so. Apparently I say the word "superfluous" in a very nice way. Again, I don't see it.

I'm good in finding the best in a bad situation. If you find that annoying, you may want to avoid me!

During the very first museum tour I ever led, a sixth grader raised her hand and said, "You smile too much." So, that may be an issue.

I'm a quarter Italian, and inherited my grandma's Italian nose (and her meatball recipe -- even if I am vegetarian). My nose is a noticable feature, I suppose!

When I was sixteen, I was thrilled to get a job shelving books at the local library. My boss was less thrilled because I tended to get caught up in the books I was supposed to shelve. I love all kinds of books. I read science nonfiction, novels of all kinds (some of my favorites are Margaret Atwood, Amy Tan, and Jonathan Coe), and I've started delving into science fiction (if you have an suggestions, please let me know!).

I don't go to the movies a lot (I'm frugal). Some of my favorites are nostalgic movies from childhood (I could watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory over and over!). I've also liked Amelie, Little Miss Sunshine, and Gosford Park.

I like world music, bluegrass music (especially Alison Krauss), and anything catchy. My guilty pleasure is Aqua, which I sometimes blast in my car when I need a boost (well, that and Tom Petty).

I am a vegetarian, which a know may be a dealbreaker. I'm not a sanctimonious vegetarian, and I won't sniff everytime you take a bite of meat (I actually love the smell of bacon). Being a vegetarian has forced me to be very non-picky. I'll try almost everything, and I love all kinds of food. I do have a dangerous sweet tooth, and I love to bake.

I couldn't live without my family (I am so lucky to have such an amazing family), my friends, access to the outdoors, books, and a little time to myself. I really don't need a lot to be happy, and I don't like to be too dependent on stuff.

I think about the future, where I'll be teaching or where I'll be living. When I'm teaching, I'm looking for lesson ideas or how I can tie current events into my class. I also think about specific students, and how I could have dealt with a situation better or how I could help them.

When I'm teaching, Friday night is my recovery night. I'm usually exhausted, so I try to do something low key -- maybe a happy hour with friends or a movie.

I can be really shy. My car is a mess. I'm a huge procrastinator.

If you've read everything about me, and you're still on board, please get in touch! I'd really love to meet a nerdy counterpart, someone who's passionate, optimistic, and who can get excited about the small things in life.