Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because ever since a young age, I saw the impact it made to help others. When I was 9 years old, I helped an adult man who couldn’t read, finally read. That joy, confidence, and empowerment I was able to be a part of, impacted my life profoundly, not just Benito’s. This was the moment that set my life in the direction of education. As an adult, my passion for teaching grew stronger and more enjoyable as I saw my students thrive, believe in themselves, and achieve success.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was Benito, the adult I mentioned previously. However, that was an experience before I was officially a teacher. As a certified teacher, one of my most memorable experience, was a 2nd grader. He had been retained twice and was unable to achieve success because he couldn’t read and had little support at home. I dedicated quality time, showed him love and interest. Then, one day, it all clicked and he began to read. It changed him and gave him confidence.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use that money to pay off credit card debt, which much of that could be attributed to my teaching career and investment in my students. I would use the rest to continue making a difference in the lives of students.