Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because since I was little my dream was to become a mom and to be the best mom ever, so I thought the best way to educate my own children would be to learn how to teach children. The second reason I became a teacher was because I wanted to do something meaningful in my life, I wanted to be able to change the world around me and found out through observation that education was the key to solve many problems in society. I wanted to be helpful even if I wouldn't become wealthy.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

This was many years ago, when I was practicing before I graduated. There was a child with selective mutism whom I was teaching. I brought her cookies as rewards for following academic instructions. One day she looked at me and told me "I want a cookie". I will never forget what I felt although it's hard to explain: excitement, hope, satisfaction, love, curiosity, surprise, willingness, a desire to continue and achieve more. I felt my dream of changing the world around me would become true.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With the $25,000 I will make a downpayment to buy a house. We left our home in Costa Rica, and we have invested every pennie from selling our house in migratory fees and education opportunities for our children. We're getting old, it's definitely time to buy another house where our children, grandchildren and eventually great grandchildren can come to feel safe and happy, where we can talk of their own dreams and goals, and continually encourage them to seek a higher education and help others.