Tell us why you became a teacher

I love making connections with people. I like to learn alongside my students about their culture, interests, and experiences. I like to present my students with new opportunities, understand their unique profiles, and adapt my instructional habits to meet their needs. Teaching is as much about sharing information as it is about learning from one another and conversing about different perspectives. I love to apply my creativity to standardized curriculum and shape it in a fun and engaging way.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable moment was when I taught a low SES student who was struggling with her home life, and she started to succeed academically. Her overall demeanour in the classroom shifted. While I thought it was her pride in her growing abilities, she shared that she felt encouraged, safe, and as though mistakes were room for growth rather than punishment. That moment helped me understand teaching isn't just academics; we are shaping students' lived experiences/ self-perception.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won the $25,000, I would break it up into different areas of my life that I am eager to invest in. I would put some towards buying a first home and some towards setting up my first classroom (UDL or DI materials), and with any remaining, I would take time to reset my mind with a getaway. $25,000 is life-changing money and could set me up early in my career for a stable lifestyle outside of the classroom, which in return will promote a stable, excited, and prepared teacher for my students.