Andrea Noon

Tell us why you became a teacher

I love traveling, learning about new cultures, and interacting with diverse people from around the world. I became a Spanish teacher because I fell in love with the language and people of Spain and I wanted to be to share that love with others. After 20 years of teaching I know that I have helped change the lives of many young people who have traveled, studied abroad, become bilingual or even trilingual, and shared in my passion for experiencing our world.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable moments in the classroom come when I help students who need encouragement or support. Last year, I had a student who was struggling across the board after multiple concussions. He stayed after class for a quiz and we talked about how he was doing, and how he was the kind of kid who teachers might sometimes overlook because he follows directions, works hard, and doesn’t fuss over grades. We talked about strategies to use when he needed help. It was an impactful conversation.

What would you do with the $25,000?

My daughter is currently in her freshman year of college; also studying to become a Spanish teacher. A big chunk of 25,000 would go to helping pay for her education but I would also use some of it to take a family trip to Perú. There are many South American countries I would still like to explore and I love being able to share my real-life adventures with students.