Tell us why you became a teacher

I first became a teacher at the age of 33. I first began working while in high school. After graduation, I took college classes while working in a variety of job fields. At 30, I realized that every position I held to that point involved me taking on a teaching role. That was when I decided it was time for me to collect all of my university credits and apply them to earning a teaching degree. I have been teaching for 26 years and have enjoyed teaching every grade 1st through 6th. No regrets.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I was given the opportunity to teach a 4th/5th combination class, which I then looped to a 5th/6th combination class the following year. My students were thirsty for knowledge and eager for a different kind of learning experience. We removed all the desks from the classroom and replaced them with round tables. We made looking at student work to achieve growth our priority. By the 2nd year, students were designing science lessons and building models to demonstrate their understanding.

What would you do with the $25,000?

First, I would put money aside so that I can take a trip back to Germany with my husband. I would like to see some of my family and also take my husband to all the places I lived and visited in my youth. I spent my childhood in Germany and I haven't been back since I returned to the U.S. in 1978. Next, I would pay off some bills. Finally, I would do something nice for my students.