(By DUNCAN McINTYRE)

Heather May is a science teacher, one of many educators at a large school in west Houston. Up close one might say she is unassuming, but delving deeper it becomes plain that she is anything but.

She modestly dismisses the teacher of the year award that sits on her desk.

“Our campus is so small I was destined to get it at some point.”

This award, however, was not given to an ordinary teacher.  Born to a mother who struggled with meth addiction, Heather spent her early childhood bouncing around from place to place.

In her turbulent formative years, she discovered a passion for science. 

“When I was a little kid, I used to catch bugs and reptiles,” she says. “I’ve always been fascinated with weird creatures.” 

Before high school began, she developed a drug addiction of her own. “I was reckless because I didn’t love myself. I wanted to be high because when I was, I didn’t hurt so much.”

At 17 years old she saw a way out when the Navy offered her a chance to go to nuclear power school. She jumped at the opportunity.

Her drug use continued, however, and after six months she was discharged. “I joined the military and ended up in a psych ward with war veterans. I figured I had a problem.”

At 18 years old Heather found herself living in her car, selling drugs just to make what little money she had. During this period, she also became pregnant by a man she dated in the years before.

Heather’s daughter, Jen, gave her the impetus she needed to get clean. She says she didn’t want to hurt someone who had no say over it.

“My mom was s— and I wanted to be a great one.”

As a new mother she began attending college, wed to her daughter’s father for a short time before his own continued drug use caused the marriage to fall apart. She and Jen moved into Texas A&M University’s family dorms and received public assistance while she continued to make strides in her education.

Heather, now 25, graduated from Texas A&M magna cum laude with a degree in wildlife biology. In graduate school at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, she spent time as a research assistant, catching and tagging terrapins for Texas Wildlife Services. But again, addiction caught up with her.

Heather dropped out of grad school and began using again, having what she calls one last bitter experience with drug use. She met an abusive man who gave her the beautiful gift of a second child in an otherwise very dark moment in her life. 

She says the coming arrival of her child gave her the strength she needed to get clean for the final time. Her newfound sobriety saw the birth of her second daughter, and with it came peace, happiness and a new vocation – high school science teacher.   

In the nine years since she began teaching, Heather has started an after-school science program so kids that share her passion have a place to nurture their scientific education. She has also started a non-profit that addresses wilderness education for inner-city youth and was recognized with a teacher of the year award. 

She does all of this for a simple reason.

“I love my students. I feel like I can make a difference by being a mentor outside of the classroom.”   

“She has lived an incredible life, and she is an incredible teacher,” says one of her colleagues, who teaches social studies down the hall.

After overcoming many difficulties, Heather says she has learned one thing above all. “The past is the past. No matter how hard life gets, there is a plot twist coming.”