Karla Schrader Briggs (BA Earth Science, 2003)

My husband and I quit our jobs in June, 2008 and found new ones. I now work in Kent teaching 7th grade science at Northwood Middle School - and glory be - I finally get to teach rocks, minerals, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Not for a whole year, mind you, but long enough to make it worth my while.

Most of the time, CWU prepared me by providing a well-rounded science curriculum for the Earth Science major. I could pretty much teach anything at any middle or junior high school, relatively competently.

My husband Peter and I live in Milton (right outside of Fife) and have no kids yet. But we DO live on a lake, so that should count for something.

I spend my free time reading and running road races. I've got 15 under my belt in the last two years, including four half marathons. I also have taken up "Guitar Hero" so I can play against my students. Well, that's my excuse anyway.

I am totally grateful for all the experiences afforded me through the CWU geology department. I often look back at all the amazing things I learned and all the great places we went; all over Washington, Oregon, California, with additional trips to Mexico through Arizona and my all time favorite; Hawaii.

I'm thankful for the competent staff who not only taught me an extraordinary amount of "stuff," but also mentored me through my college days.

UPDATE: Still working in Kent, and I've been afforded the opportunity to teach both 7th and 8th grade, which is great news! I get to teach earth science AND the age level I prefer. I'm still working on completing my Professional Certificate.

I've successfully completed over 30 running races, five of those races being half marathons, two in Canada (yay for the metric markers instead of mile markers)!

My husband and I are expecting our first baby February 2010! We're excited to be new parents. I may or may not continue to work after the offspring arrives.