Charles Rash

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher after working with homeless youth in the Pacific Northwest. I saw while working with many of them that they were rejected by their homes and as they saw it society. I have done my best to demonstrate to my students that they matter and to encourage them to move forward in life and hopefully have a better future.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

While teaching 8th grade US History I introduced debates regularly and had students consider multiple perspectives of our past. In doing that I had a student tell me that I had helped them to decide that they wanted to become a lawyer. Well 6 years later I got an email from that student that they were beginning their journey at Texas A&M law school. As we often say the reward for teachers is often seen much later, and it was beautiful to see that student succeed in their goal.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I have four children so I would use the money to invest in their future education whether that would be college or trade schools. I know it’s hard to pay for education these days and it would help them greatly to get set up for the future.