Dr. Capraro on Teaching: Those who can, do; those who understand, teach"(Lee S. Shulman). Since I was a young child I always wanted to be a teacher. I began teaching my younger sister, dolls, and stuffed animals at the age of seven. I turned my bedroom into a classroom. All I wanted for Christmas was a blackboard and chalk. My dream came true in the Miami Dade County School system where I taught primary grades, middle school, and adults. All of these experiences helped me realize I could make the biggest difference with children in mathematics classrooms, if I taught future teachers and conducted research in schools. Since coming to Texas A&M, I have been able to do all of these things. I attempt to convey my passion, love, and enthusiasm for mathematics to my students. I believe in treating each student with respect and expecting and believing in each and every student and in return I expect them to give me their best. I learn from my students by encouraging everyone to contribute to each class. In every class, all of my students are actively involved with hands-on manipulatives. I believe I should be a model for preservice teachers on how they should teach in their future classrooms by including real-world practical problem solving. As a lifelong learner, I am constantly trying to improve my teaching practices by striving to make the good - better, and the better - best. Thus, my teaching currently revolves around being able to blend an understanding of mathematics education with my ability to be a competent researcher.