Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

When I was 5, my teacher asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I picked "princess". She shattered my dreams and said that wasn't an option, so I decided I would do my project on becoming a teacher. As a little 5 year old, I feel in love with the idea of helping other people along the way to achieving their dreams, even if that was becoming a princess. I would play pretend as a teacher to my toys, and the love of teaching continued to grow. Here I am, pursuing my actual dream, teaching.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My teaching career started in January of 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic and eventual shut down. It was challenging. I was afraid I wasn't reaching my students the way I felt I would growing up and was feeling a little lost. When the year came to an end, I knew I wouldn't let the pandemic keep me from my dream, so I kept going. Years later, a student from 2020 told me she was pursuing a degree in STEM because I inspired her. That one statement has kept me fueled throughout my career.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I am engaged to a fellow teacher, so I would use part of that money to help us pay for the wedding. I would use some of it to buy my school’s Academic Decathlon team iPads to use each year. I would use part of it to clear the small student loan debt that I have. I would use it to buy reusable lab materials for my science department to use with students for years to come. Then I would see where the rest takes me!