I was never a "math person" as a kid - I did math, and I did it just fine, but I don't recall being particularly interested in anything I learned, and was definitely uninterested in calculus. I first attended the MidSchoolMath conference in 2014, and was so inspired I was willing to accept the 6th grade math teacher position at Turquoise Trail Charter School (as long as there wasn't any calculus involved). Through continued work with the MidSchoolMath team, I met many incredible, talented people I am proud to call my colleagues and friends, one of whom (Ms. Heather Herd) joined me at Turquoise Trail as the 5th grade teacher! We have spent the last two years bouncing ideas off of each other, collaborating, and gradually developing a conceptual framework for math teaching that is really starting to click with our students. The strategies, techniques, and resources I've tried along the way have changed my perspective towards math, and I believe it is starting to change the perspective of my students. I am proud to say that a video of this work in action resulted in me being named one of the New Mexico State Finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching this year.