Growing up, school was a safe haven for me from a home life that, at times, felt scary and unsafe. I knew that going to school meant freedoms and securities that I didn’t have at home. At school, like many students, I experienced bullying. There were so many teachers that made their classrooms a safe space and made me feel valued. I knew I was going to be that for kids just like me and that every student who came through my doors would know without a doubt they were loved by at least 1 person.

Last year, I received a note from a parent in the class stating that if I hadn’t been her child’s teacher, she would have pulled her child from our school. Because of me, this child felt safe enough to stay and her mom said that her child did a positive 180 in her own behavior with my guidance.

With $25,000 I would pay off student loans and go back to school for my Master’s in Special Education.