Jennifer Cicenia

Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

Teaching is truly my passion! I can’t remember ever wanting to do anything else. My journey started when I was a kid with several teachers who did not quite inspire me to reach my full potential, whose words and actions dimmed my potential rather than igniting it. Those tough memories can linger, but they motivated me to create a positive experience for my own students. I am determined to rewrite that narrative for my students—I want to be the kind of teacher who helps them shine!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

There is not one experience that stands out but I have received emails or social media messages from students letting me know the impact I had on them. Their words echo with the profound impact our time together has had on them, often dawning on them long after they have left my classroom. This enduring impact is what makes every effort truly worthwhile, a testament to the power of teaching and the bonds we create.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Both my husband and I are teachers. As we have navigated the beautiful chaos of raising our two teenage daughters, countless household repairs have been pushed aside, overshadowed by our commitment to support them in every way possible. With $25,000, we could begin to tackle some of those household projects that are long overdue.