Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I wasn’t sure what to do in college, but something about it felt right. During my first internship, I fell in love with the work. Helping a student connect with texts, guiding them to find their own meanings, is such a rewarding experience. It’s incredibly special to witness someone discovering their perspective and understanding the bigger picture. This is my passion, and I’m so grateful to be part of that process.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my favorite teaching memories is from 6th grade ELA, reading The Monkey’s Paw. My students predicted it would be boring because of the old language, and I played along. But as the story unfolded, they were hooked—audible gasps and yelps at the twist! They unpacked meaning in words that once intimidated them and begged for more after the open-ended finish. We spent the rest of class theorizing what happened next. Seeing their excitement and engagement was unforgettable.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won $25,000, I’d use it to pay off my IVF bills from the past few years. Teaching has been my escape throughout my fertility journey, and being able to use this prize to ease that financial burden would feel truly poetic. It would lift a huge weight off my shoulders and allow me to focus even more on what I love—teaching and inspiring my students.