Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because when my own children were in elementary, I was having to also teach them at home. I wanted to make sure they were getting the best education possible. So I figured if I was having to do that at home them I wanted to make a difference for other children as well.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I have taught third grade for years. So years later when I took my daughter to a high school football game I had a former student tell me that she decided to go to college after we had a conversation when I had taught her years earlier and she told me she would never make it through school. I couldn't have been more proud to know that she stuck with school all because of one conversation we had! Making one difference made it worth while.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Being in a Title I school, I would love to donate some to the school. I would also donate to the Ronald McDonald house when they took us in 26 years ago after my daughter had open heart surgery.