Taj Jackson

I became a teacher because I saw too many brilliant students around me growing up who never reached their full potential—not because they lacked ability, but because they lacked opportunity, representation, and role models. I wanted to be the teacher I needed back then—someone who sees their greatness early and helps them believe in it.

One of my most memorable moments was taking a group of inner-city middle school students to a science fair, where they taught younger students about DNA and inherited traits using a strawberry DNA extraction lab. Watching them light up as they stepped into the role of “prestigious geneticists”—confident, knowledgeable, and proud—was powerful. In that moment, they weren’t defined by stereotypes, but by their potential. That experience changed me, and I hope it changed how they see themselves too.

If I won $25,000, I would expand the STEM learning experiences I’ve already built—my science rap songs, hands-on experiments, games, and engaging lessons. I would create a platform where teachers can access these resources and bring them into their own classrooms. I’d also host community STEM events to inspire ALL students to see science as exciting, relevant, and a pathway to real opportunities.