Clarissa Williams

Tell us why you became a teacher

I was an inner-city youth. Growing up, I didn’t see many teachers in my hometown that looked like me or that I could relate to. I was the first to graduate both high school and complete college in my immediate family. Education was never stressed nor was it emphasized, but I wanted to make sure children coming up would be able to see a teacher that they could relate to. I’m not referring to my color, but to prove I made it out despite my circumstances, and they can too! God’s plan not mine.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable moment in teaching is when I had a parent come up to me at a game and tell me I was their child’s favorite teacher. I do not teach this child at all, but she was being bullied. I stood up for her in the hallway. That day I gained her respect. She would always come to my room and talk to me on the way to class. She made me a bracelet before I left with my name on it. To say I’m your favorite teacher and I don’t teach you says, I made a difference that day, and I always try to.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would get caught up on bills. My mom was diagnosed with cancer last year, and I stopped teaching mid-year to take care of her. She died a month later, but the bills kept coming. I went back to work this past July but I still feel like I’m playing catch up. As a mom of four kids under 5, you can never really catch up but you try. I would use this money for my family, but after the year I had last year, I could use a trip and GOOD therapy.