Carrie Vargas

Tell us why you became a teacher

When I was a junior in high school, I had the privilege of having an amazing U.S. History teacher. He made learning fun. The topic, which could be very dry, truly came alive in his classroom. He motivated me as a student to learn the information in unique & interesting ways. Along with my high school theater teacher, they both encouraged me to think deeper, find my own voice & support/encourage those around me. This taught me the value of a great teacher, which inspired me to become one.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I've had several memorable moments over my 20+ years of teaching. Everything from great performances, students thanking me for helping them become who they are. However, my most profound experience was when I lost one of my students during student teaching. I was devastated wondering what I could've done differently. My mentor teacher gave me the best advice. He said, "You need to know you won't reach them all, and that's okay... but it doesn't mean we don't stop trying." I live this each day.

What would you do with the $25,000?

While I might pay a bill, I would rather invest the majority of it into my theatre program here at school. We do not currently have a building to perform in, so we could use some additional equipment for shows and training purposes. I would want to get additional headset microphones and lighting. I want my students to have to tools they need to be successful in their future theater endeavors.