Of course I'm totally biased, but I think my mom is an amazing educator. She continues to work tirelessly for the kids in her classes, year after year - despite the innumerable obstacles she faces. She is a huge inspiration to me.

Take a leap of faith. You will either land somewhere new or learn to fly.

I could never have dreamed the life I lead. Given where I started, it's remarkable to me the constant adventure that my life has become.

I'm always preparing for a regular life.

However you learn and whatever your circumstances, an education that prepares you for the world is every child's right.

I find that if I've taken care of myself first, I can then be there fully for everyone else.

I have to say, as a young woman of color, and this may sound controversial, in sci-fi, anything is possible. In sci-fi I can belong to the military. In sci-fi I can have an interracial love affair; I can be a revolutionary.