Claire Ellis

Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I have realized over time that for some children, a teacher is often the safest and most stable adult in their life. The easiest way for me to make an impact in the most amount of children’s lives is through teaching. As a physical education teacher, I have the added bonus of knowing students from Kindergarten through sixth grade. I love that I can be a positive example of a healthy adult to so many through building relationships.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

When the student who made me want to leave the profession for good told me I’d changed their life, I knew teaching was my calling. After months of behavior problems and not getting through to them, I focused on relationship first and watched the 180 happen. I remember when they’d come back to visit me in elementary school to tell me they’d made national honor society in high school and that I was the reason for all of the successes in their life.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Our family has a desire to open a retreat center for families or caregivers of children with special needs to have the opportunity to visit Alaska and have their housing accommodations paid for. We know they have a thankless job and work around the clock. The money would help us in the first stages of our dream to purchase the property. We love the idea of providing respite to those who work a selfless job.