Tell us why you became a teacher

I was working as an Instructional Aid in a wonderful school. All of the teachers I assisted there enthusiastically encouraged me to take up this noble calling myself! So I followed their advice as I sought to reproduce the amazing teaching I saw at this school! I am only the teacher I am today because of the passion I witnessed first-hand with some extraordinary teachers. I want to serve the children of our great nation, inspiring them to follow their dreams just as I was encouraged to do!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

There is a student whom I was blessed to serve who has left an indelible mark in my teaching “memory”. This student came to me as a fourth grader reading at about a first grade level. I was told not to expect too much of him and to reduce his workload. I worked closely with this student and stayed after school most every day to help him. I saw in him a fierce determination to achieve, and that year he jumped 20 points on his assessments! Four years later he became class valedictorian!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I have so much I would like to purchase for my classroom - some new furniture and learning tools for my students. I would also like to attend some national summits in my field of teaching. If I am allowed to use the money for personal reasons I would save this for my daughters for their weddings.