April Ramos

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I was pregnant with my first child and all the parents around me started complaining about Common Core Math. I decided my best move would be to go back to college and learn more about it to help my daughter thrive. During my studies, I realized this was my calling and I couldn't imagine doing anything different .

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my tier one strategies for social emotional learning is to create a THINK posters. This is five questions the students should ask themselves before saying or doing something. Is is TRUE? Is it HELPFUL? Is it INSPIRING? Is it NECESSARY? Is it KIND? This strategy has helped with classroom conflict, and limit distracting off topic conversation. My students also used these strategies at home. I even received an email from a parent asking if they could use it in a presentation for adults.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would donate $1000 to my school and spend the rest of the money for a down payment on a house for my three kids and myself.