Irma Cisneros

Tell us why you became a teacher

My parents were illiterat. At a young ageI taught them the abcs and sounds. They eventually learned to read and write, and inspired to take community classes. They became USA citizens. The satisfaction it brought me inspired me to teach and instill in others to become lifelong learners.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

A fourth grade teacher assigned her students to write about their favorite teacher. Eleven of her 23 students wrote about me. She brought me the essays and I teared up as I read them. They described moments that helped succeed and how I made learning fun and engaging. They described the cultural activities, the dress up days, the centers, and all of the extra curricular events that we engaged in. It brought peace and happiness knowing former students recalled positive experiences.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I have spent endless hours on weekends, holidays, late nights and during the school day to make sure I am giving my students the best education possible. At some point, I have sacrified my own 5 children for the children of others. Proudly, I can say my children are doing well with academics. However, I have 2 daughters currently at UCLA struggling with finances and student loans. I feel it is my duty as an educator to provide this amount to the education of my own children.