Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

When I was in college I originally wanted to be an electrical engineer. I played football in college and we went to a local high school to do community service. I enjoyed it so much when I got back to school I changed my major to education. I reflected on how much of an impact my teachers and coaches had on so many children's lives. From this day forward I would volunteer as much as possible at the local schools and it became my passion.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I have been lucky enough to have taught and coached my entire career. When you coach you see the home life of so many young folks and it is not always great. I have had many of my athletes become the first ones in their families to attend college. When I first met them they really had no idea that they could achieve this. This is an amazing feeling.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I have never really had a chance to take my beautiful wife on a vacation so that would be on the list but I really would like to do good with this money. I would donate some of this money to the athletic department of the school I attended.