So why talk about a role that I should be incredibly proud of in such a way that makes it sound like I completely loathe the opportunity I have? Well, because I really do love the role. I have a fantastic opportunity to work with students who are trying to expand their knowledge. It’s a role I am grateful for and one that I never thought I’d have. My undergraduate work was at a college with a strong education program, and most of my close friends were pursuing careers as teachers. I, on the other hand, was going to become the next Erin Brockovich. I was going to fight the good environmental fight and become a champion for the environment.

Yea, that didn’t happen. Instead, life took me to the Midwest. I had a series of events (did you ever see Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events? This was basically that, minus the Christopher Lloyd (amazing, but creepy) factor) that led me here, and while most days I still try to claim my New England roots as home and even practice my Boston accent to make sure it hasn’t left me, I’m a Midwesterner.