Shell Science Teaching Award–Sonoma Race
Do you remember back in March when I told you about being surprised at an all school convocation? I thought that was unbelievable, but there was more to come that has left me speechless! February 28th is a day I won’t soon forget!
(This video may or may not work if you are reading this by e-mail–click on “being surprised” above to see it).
After sending me to Boston to attend the National Science Teachers Association conference, I was told that I would also be attending the Toyota/SaveMart 350 in Sonoma, California to meet the driver of the Shell Oil sponsored car, Joey Lagano! My husband and I just got back from California and all I can say is that I am speechless! It was one of the most unbelievable experiences I’ve ever had in my life!! Totally, unreal, unbelievable, exciting, and humbling all at the same time. I cannot even begin to put into words how unbelievable this whole experience has been.
One of the other cool parts of this trip was being able to see my name on the back of Joey’s #22 car!!
This is it in the garage before the race on the 22nd. Seeing it gave me goosebumps and I teared up! I had to look away or I would of been a hot, blubbering mess before the race even started!
Here is a shot of Joey’s car during the race. 
My husband and I got to meet Joey Lagano, driver of the #22 Shell/Penzoil car!! So nice and down to earth…he knows a lot about his car and the science behind it! 
I got goosebumps everytime Joey’s car went by during the race. Seeing your name on the back of a NASCAR car for 110 laps–well…there are no words to explain the feeling!
Joey and I pre-race!
Joey with my husband and I. 
We got to stand on “this side” of the red carpet before the drivers meeting.
We also got to stand behind the stage and look out at all the drivers during the driver’s meeting before the race.
Here I am being interviewed by Claire B. Lang from 24/7 NASCAR Talk on Sirius XM Radio before the race. 
Karen Labat (The Social Investment Manager-Education for Shell), my husband and I on the track before the race. We are standing at the beginning of Turn 11. 
I got to stand next to Joey’s car pre-race in the pits so I could see my name on his car!!
Joey was nice enough to take a picture with us before the race started. 
This is Todd Gordon, Joey’s Crew Chief. 🙂
For about 1/2 of the race, we got to sit atop Joey’s pit box–talk about incredible!! This is the part of my trip that made me want to cry tears of joy and humbleness!! I kept looking around thinking…how lucky am I to be here?? There are SO many other deserving teachers out there, so I was excited to be able to represent all of you and the work you do everyday!!
This is the only way to see a pit stop!! 🙂
Look at the awesome jump drive my host Ron gave me with these pictures on it!!
I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time I was there!! I am super excited to bring racing into my classroom and to teach my Kinders all about the science at work in racing (plus it’s fun to watch!!)
For all of you teachers reading this…I just want you to know when you are having a tough day (or let’s face it…a tough year!), there is lots of LOVE out in the world for teachers! I heard it and felt it loud and clear during this trip. I was thanked so many times for being a teacher and for doing the job that I do; so I wanted to make sure to pass that along to all of you!
I actually sat down and cried when this trip was over…it was so MAGICAL (in that take your kids to Disney for the first time magical kind of way) that I didn’t want it to end…and four days later I still don’t want it to end!!
Then I got home and Googled myself…AMAZING!! So many media outlets have been so wonderful in sharing my story and every time I read a new story, I just shake my head in disbelief! I’m telling you…there are no words to describe this!!
But now the fun begins! Getting the word out to you to apply for the Shell Science Teaching Award.
Getting other teachers, parents, administrators, and community members to see that science education can and SHOULD be starting in early childhood classrooms.
Getting my hands deeper into the world of science education.
Getting out of my introvert ways and into ways of sharing my love of science with everyone. ❤
Much love and many thanks to all of you who have supported me on my journey!! I can’t do what I do without the love and support from each and every one of you, so THANK YOU!! ❤
A BIG shout out to Ron, Sam, Karen, and Joey for making the weekend so special–you guys are all amazing people and I can’t wait to get to know you all better!
I think NASCAR has gained a new fan…despite growing up in Indy all my life and loving my IndyCars…I think there is room in my heart for NASCAR too. 🙂
Here is a shot of Joey’s car during the race. 
My husband and I got to meet Joey Lagano, driver of the #22 Shell/Penzoil car!! So nice and down to earth…he knows a lot about his car and the science behind it! 
I got goosebumps everytime Joey’s car went by during the race. Seeing your name on the back of a NASCAR car for 110 laps–well…there are no words to explain the feeling!
Joey and I pre-race!
Joey with my husband and I. 
We got to stand on “this side” of the red carpet before the drivers meeting.
We also got to stand behind the stage and look out at all the drivers during the driver’s meeting before the race.
Here I am being interviewed by Claire B. Lang from 24/7 NASCAR Talk on Sirius XM Radio before the race. 
Karen Labat (The Social Investment Manager-Education for Shell), my husband and I on the track before the race. We are standing at the beginning of Turn 11. 
I got to stand next to Joey’s car pre-race in the pits so I could see my name on his car!!
Joey was nice enough to take a picture with us before the race started. 
This is Todd Gordon, Joey’s Crew Chief. 🙂
For about 1/2 of the race, we got to sit atop Joey’s pit box–talk about incredible!! This is the part of my trip that made me want to cry tears of joy and humbleness!! I kept looking around thinking…how lucky am I to be here?? There are SO many other deserving teachers out there, so I was excited to be able to represent all of you and the work you do everyday!!
This is the only way to see a pit stop!! 🙂
Look at the awesome jump drive my host Ron gave me with these pictures on it!!
I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time I was there!! I am super excited to bring racing into my classroom and to teach my Kinders all about the science at work in racing (plus it’s fun to watch!!)
For all of you teachers reading this…I just want you to know when you are having a tough day (or let’s face it…a tough year!), there is lots of LOVE out in the world for teachers! I heard it and felt it loud and clear during this trip. I was thanked so many times for being a teacher and for doing the job that I do; so I wanted to make sure to pass that along to all of you!
I actually sat down and cried when this trip was over…it was so MAGICAL (in that take your kids to Disney for the first time magical kind of way) that I didn’t want it to end…and four days later I still don’t want it to end!!
Then I got home and Googled myself…AMAZING!! So many media outlets have been so wonderful in sharing my story and every time I read a new story, I just shake my head in disbelief! I’m telling you…there are no words to describe this!!
But now the fun begins! Getting the word out to you to apply for the Shell Science Teaching Award.
Getting other teachers, parents, administrators, and community members to see that science education can and SHOULD be starting in early childhood classrooms.
Getting my hands deeper into the world of science education.
Getting out of my introvert ways and into ways of sharing my love of science with everyone. ❤
Much love and many thanks to all of you who have supported me on my journey!! I can’t do what I do without the love and support from each and every one of you, so THANK YOU!! ❤
A BIG shout out to Ron, Sam, Karen, and Joey for making the weekend so special–you guys are all amazing people and I can’t wait to get to know you all better!
I think NASCAR has gained a new fan…despite growing up in Indy all my life and loving my IndyCars…I think there is room in my heart for NASCAR too. 🙂
Posted on June 26, 2014, in NASCAR, NSTA 2014, Shell Science Teaching Award. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
Kristen's Kindergarten 
That’s amazing!! It’s so nice to hear that someone recognized a fellow K teacher for such a prestigious award! Congratulations to you- you deserve it! Suzanne The video worked, by the way, and I cried happy tears with you.
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