I knew that teaching was an important job, and I wanted to be the person that students could always look up to. I wanted to build a love for learning, trying new things, making mistakes, and getting right back at it to learn more. I wanted to develop adventurous learners, both academically and socially, and I wanted to teach my students that kindness, compassion, and knowledge will take you far if you believe in yourself and others! You can do and be anything you dream!

I will always remember a student who was dealt some tough cards-he compared himself to his classmates, had a difficult home support system, and was unmotivated to do well or even think he could. I made sure to let him know that in my classroom he could build trusted relationships; I wanted him to know that he was valued, cared for, and was a bright student who could do anything.By the middle of the year, he was smiling with friends, loving school, and making academic progress. My heart was full!

My amazing school has a diverse population & I’d love to fund a new project that benefits all students. My kindergartners would be ecstatic to have large bean bag chairs in the classroom & be surprised with an end of year learning parade! My fiancé Jason & I are also getting married in July, & this would be wonderful to help fund our honeymoon. We’re always traveling to visit family across three different states, & this prize would allow us to spend more quality time with them.:)