Danielle Hunter

Tell us why you became a teacher

Like Galileo was born with stars in his eyes, I was born to teach and learn! I became a teacher because I was inspired by my own family members and teachers who supported and fostered my educational experiences. Teaching is my passion because I love learning and I love sharing knowledge and teaching students how to grow their minds and the skills they need to be their best selves. The time is now to give students the quality education they need and deserve, to teach them to explore and inquire.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Every day is memorable; however, there is one story I can tell that is fresh on my mind. It was the first week of school. Third graders were sitting calmly on the carpet watching me model how to ask questions. Note, that they were sitting calmly, because that was the norm we were practicing, when all of a sudden a mouse scurried across the floor. The sounds, the dialogue, the actions are embedded into my mind, but I will never forget how this ignited storytelling and a forever love for writing.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I show up to work every day and I give my heart, soul and mind to fostering positive learning experiences for every human that is in front of me. My husband and I have been on our own journey of starting our family for over 10 years. I would use this money to give back to myself and to pay off student loans and debt that boggles me down when I continuously am giving to my students and classroom and community. This monetary value would be life changing because it would help me and my family grow.