Tell us why you became a teacher

Since the 1st grade, I always wanted to become "the all-knowing Mrs. Maher." I don't know why, but I immediately thought she must know EVERYTHING! I felt so grateful and excited that she chose to share her wisdom with us, and with so much warmth. I admired her decision to teach me despite her omnipotency (lol), and ever since that first day of school, I have been in love with humanity's innate desire to learn & have always known my passion is to share knowledge with competence & compassion.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

This is a very hard ask because it's always the "little" moments scattered throughout the days that leave me smiling, seeing, that after all, it's really SO easy to connect and just be a person sharing truths. One memory that stands out is when a student on my caseload (for 3 years) wrote her college essay about how I impacted her life/facilitated confidence to become a teacher herself & she is currently in her freshman year of college pursuing this. My heart swells for this faith in humanity.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would pay a big portion of my student loans, save some for a down payment on a house, and give back every penny my mother has given to me to get me through the last six, very difficult, years. Also, as a high school special education teacher, maintaining a surplus of snacks, water, printer paper, and supplies for my kiddos! :)