Tell us why you became a teacher

Teaching is in my blood. When I was little, I would gather the kids on my street and teach them lessons in my room. As I grew up, I found myself helping friends study for tests. Later I saw the struggles of fellow college students writing essays, and I would come up with ways to help them understand how to write. I realized they responded well to me. I wanted to make learning as easy and enjoyable for others as it was for me.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I had a student who struggled with lying. Students began to accuse her, but she couldn't control the impulse and would not admit that she was making up stories. I talked to her privately and said I could tell she wasn't trying to lie on purpose or hurt anyone. I asked if fibs were popping out too fast. There are no words to describe the relief on her face. Someone finally saw her issue. We made a plan that she could say "just kidding" each time a fib came out. It changed her social life.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I have a student with a three-year-old nephew who has kidney cancer. I will donate as much as possible to Walker's treatments. My students have been doing as much as possible for him as well, including buying holiday gifts for his family and gifts for each time he comes home from the hospital. He will be doing chemotherapy and radiation for a year. We hope he will win this fight!