Prairie High School has welcomed a new science teacher this year, Ms. Root, who brings a lifelong love for learning and a strong passion for helping students grow. After she graduated from Battleground High School in 2004, she then earned her masters degree in teaching at Whitworth University and worked at Cheney High School from 2009 to 2010, then returned to Battleground to start working at Prairie years later in 2025.

Ms. Root’s interest in science began when she was young. Her grandmother worked as a marine biologist for the Waikiki Aquarium. She said she loved how her grandmother always quizzed her and asked her questions which eventually led to her wanting to be a science teacher herself in the future, as of now.

One of Ms. Root’s favorite parts of working with students was that the classroom is never boring and that there’s hilarious things that happen every single day. “I’m always just in awe of, like, the kindness and compassion it has.” She really just enjoys the joy that students have.

One of the small things that makes Ms. Root genuinely happy as a teacher is watching students get excited about learning. She says it doesn’t have to be a big moment, sometimes it’s something small. “I think about it a lot of the time in the lab, like when we get a weird result and we don’t know why. And I think that’s so fun when we have more questions than answers.” She just loves seeing her students get curious about something.

A skill Ms. Root hopes students learn is persistence and the ability to adapt. She believes that not everything works the first time, especially in science, and that learning to try again is an important skill. She hopes students will remember her class as a place where they felt valued and supported long after they graduate. 

“Oh, my gosh, I love it.” Ms. Root says her experience at Prairie has already been amazing. Prairie reminds her of the school she taught at for many years, and she appreciates how fun, engaged, and welcoming Prairie students have been. She enjoys teaching alongside her brother, Mr. Root, calling it an unexpected but meaningful opportunity and how she’s so proud of him seeing him as an adult and role model for many others. “I never thought I would have that opportunity. It’s really special for me.” Overall, she says joining Prairie has been a start of a new journey.