Tell us why you became a teacher

I worked so many jobs from sales in jewelry and cars, to construction, to chef and just basic retail. None of them fulfilled me. I always liked kids but never got into it because of the whole men working with preschool kid stereotypes. When I turned 30 I started nannying for a friend. My friends told me I should work with kids by how well I did and so I applied. I got the job and never wanted to work anywhere else. Now I keep learning to be the best most fun teacher I can be.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I had just started working with preschoolers and wanted to do a science project. Making ice cream in a ziploc bag. It was my first time leading the classroom and I wanted it to be fun. Our owner had just bought new hardwood flooring instead of carpet and was telling all of us to be as careful as possible. Well needless to say the rock salt mixed with the ice melting and leaking from some of the bags created one of the biggest messes in my life. White was stained all over the new floor and tables

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would put most of it back into my classroom to give the kids the best possible experience ever before going off to kindergarten. I would also buy anything to relax me when I get home from some days of absolute chaos. A lot would go to books. I love reading to the kids and doing voices to bring characters to life.