Amanda Felton

Tell us why you became a teacher

I went to two high schools due to a move. I never connected with a teacher in a personal level. I did my assignments, passed my classes, and graduated with no connections. When I started college, I had professors who were passionate about their content and wanted us to appreciate the application level. They invested in me. That changed me. I began to think about how important education, connection, and application are; I wondered why no one demonstrated this at the high school level.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Last year, year 23, I was given juniors for the first time in ten years. I had them read essays that had voices, dialogue, personal connections, and elements of imagery. One boy, Jordan, wrote an essay about his drug-addicted parents, having a dead body in his house, abuse from Foster care, etc. I encouraged him to use his voice and apply for a Beat The Odds Scholarship. He won the scholarship and was the highlight candidate and won a $20,000 scholarship.

What would you do with the $25,000?

My husband has inherited a neurological genetic disorder called Huntington’s Disease and he is becoming disabled this year. He has always supported me as a teacher, coming to games, chaperoning dances, watching me grade papers every night. I would love to take him on a nice vacation, maybe a safari in Africa, to give him time he deserves.