I started out majoring in Exercise Science to be a physical therapist. But in my junior year, felt called to change my major to education. I want to help other students the way people have helped my own children, and help students discover their own voices and love of reading.

There are so many! One time, we were working on a narrative story. I had a student who was very resistant, insisting they were “bad at writing.” After a few activities teaching them the power of word choice, this student wrote one of the best stories. They said to me later, “I thought I was a bad writer. But that’s because I thought I had to sound like everyone else. You said I could sound like me, and it turns out I love to write!”

I would honestly use a large portion to help pay for my own kids’ college, and a Master’s Degree for myself. I also need a new, functional car.