Tell us why you became a teacher

I never thought I would be a teacher, but life had different plans. Art was my passion, my escape, and sharing that passion with students is incredibly great! Teaching became an extension of my studio—a place of imagination and growth. I love guiding students as they transform ideas into tangible art, experimenting with materials, and gaining confidence in their creativity. Teaching is a two-way journey; my students inspire me as much as I inspire them. Now, I can’t imagine my life without it.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I have had so many incredible moments teaching but one of my favorite things about my job is watching students grasp an artistic concept, a new skill in drawing, or finally being able to depict their ideas the way they want. My students show me everyday their resilience and their creativity and I am in awe of their ideas on a daily basis! The simple act of watching my students improve in leaps and bounds as artist and people has been the most memorable part of my carreer thus far.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to help aid my dream of going back to school to recieve my Masters of Fine Art in Illustration. By achieving this goal I would not only feed my own creativity and learn from other incredible educators, but I would be able to impart new skills and wisdom into my students as well!