Tell us why you became a teacher

I grew up in a home where I didn’t always feel safe. In Middle School, I started trying to block out the world in negative ways. A teacher noticed this. She literally saved my life. She cared. She made me feel like I didn’t have to live the life I was in and could do more than where I came from. I did.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My 1st year of teaching, I lost my hair due to a medical condition. My students, 99% of which were on free lunch, and their families, who barely had enough to survive themselves, threw me a hat, scarf and big earrings party so “The outside could be as pretty as the inside.” 12 years later and I still have every one and wear them all the time as a reminder that schools are the center of every community. If we work together to support those in our community, one by one, the world is a better place

What would you do with the $25,000?

My grandmother, a retired special education teacher, really needs to be moved to assisted living, but they cannot afford it on their retirement alone and we can’t help as much as we would like. I would use half for them, a quarter to put toward my student loans, and the last quarter would be donated to my school to help them reach their goal/dream of one day having a High School and a gym.