Tell us why you became a teacher

As a child, I loved learning. I admired all of my teachers and wanted so badly to wear high heels like they did that clip clopped in the hallway. I wanted to write with chalk and have a desk of my own. In fact, I never considered being anything but a teacher. As I got older, I realized that learning didn't come as easily to others and I wondered why. I wanted to learn as much as I could about how our brains work and how to help people who have difficulties with reading and math.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

After over 20 years of teaching, I have a ton of memories, good and bad. Covid protocols, learning how to build relationships with resistant families, chasing after kids who elope, no water or flushing toilets one day last year...But the most memorable has been working with a current student who rarely spoke last year, never completed work and hid under tables and cried. This year he is reading, doing his math, communicating with others and SMILING! It doesn't get better than that!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I tend to spend a lot of money on my classroom, and I probably would buy the kids some new microscope slides and items for our sensory area. We have also been trying to find money for more adaptive toys for our playground like a wheelchair swing and a sensory path. But it would be nice to have extra money for myself and my family. Practical Amy would pay off debt from my master's classes, pay off my car, and invest some for my children. Fun Amy would love to put in a swimming pool!