Tell us why you became a teacher

I was lost. Didn’t know what to do or where my life was heading. I was a single mom and volunteered in my daughter’s first grade class. I left that day so fulfilled and knew at that moment that I was meant to work with kids. I went back to school working during the day and going to school at night to get my teaching degree. Once I got hired I knew my path was set. This is what I was meant to do. It has not been perfect, but it’s been perfect for me.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

It’s a very silly story, but I was sitting at my small group table working with a student. One of my boys walked over to me to ask me with a question, and he said , Hey Google… I just about lost it. Hey lay on the floor laughing and I just giggled and giggled. I told him that I’ve been called mom and grandma, but never Google. What I loved about this moment is that he looked at me as an expert. He trusted me for an answer to a question. It was precious.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Good question. I would love to help my coworker start a company that helps special needs adults learn sustained living with gardening and composting in order to help them be self sufficient. She has a brilliant plan that I would love to be a part of.