Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because of my mom. She is a role model to me and I look up to her because of her work ethic. As I got older, I began realizing how much teaching meant to me and how much this fulfills my heart. These students really are the world and having great teachers in my life such as my mom, grandmother, and others growing up made me want to be that for someone. These students are the reason why I work so hard everyday. They are the world and I love that I can be a part of it.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was during my first year of teaching when I got a student from Turkey who knew no English! Her and her brother were refugees. That was not something college taught me to handle but we made it work. She got a buddy in class who worked with her and my class embraced her. She was so fun and so bubbly and having everyone come together to help her truly made my heart happy. By the time she left, she knew complete sentences! That is a core memory for me.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won the $25,000, I will have my Masters paid off which would be such a blessing. I am getting it in EdTech and Instructional Design and it is a dream to work in Educational Technology to help teachers embrace teaching with technology. After that, I would bless my family and open a scholarship to give the money to someone else. I got through college on Scholarships and I've always wanted to give back in that way because having that burden off made a difference in my education!