Growing up, I was inspired by my mother and aunts, who were dedicated teachers. Watching their impact on students ignited my passion for teaching. Despite adversity and warnings about low pay, I pursued it because it felt like my calling. Teaching wasn’t just a career choice—it was where my heart belonged. I knew the challenges, but the joy of helping others learn and grow outweighed everything. Following my passion, I became a teacher, and I’ve never looked back.

My favorite teaching moment each year is when my students become published authors, creating books on Whale and dolphin research and Arctic animals. The months of hard work and dedication pay off when they see their finished book. The pride and excitement on their faces are priceless, making all the effort worth it. Through this process, they gain knowledge, skills, and confidence, and it serves as a powerful reminder of why I became a teacher—to inspire and celebrate their potential.

If I won the $25,000, I would pursue a master’s degree to fulfill my dream of reaching even more students by becoming an assistant principal or principal—hopefully at the very school I once attended and now have the privilege of teaching at. A portion would go to relieve some of my current student loan debt. I would also love to invest in more technology for my classroom to enhance hands-on learning opportunities for my students.