Herminia collado

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I always remembered how school for me was where I felt loved, cared for and protected and I wanted to pay that forward. I want to be that rock for my students when they feel no one has their back. Feeling the support of all the teachers and professors in my life is why I am the success I am today.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I have had numerous memorable experiences; a lot are funnier and some are very sentimental. But, one of my most memorable was with one of my special needs student who had taken the NYS algebra regents 4 times prior to me working at the school. He was very resistant towards me but slowly but surely we connected and he began believing in the work we were doing in class. The following January he took the test and passed with an incredible 78 from the 30 he had received August before.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I were to win the $25k oh my goodness I would start with clearing off some of my debt and a down payment for a home. I personally wish I had a big house in NYC to foster children specifically teenagers but that’s a much larger goal.