Tell us why you became a teacher

Becoming a teacher felt like the natural path for me, with education running deep in my family—my dad, brother, and sister-in-law are all educators. My personal struggles with math during my school years sparked a passion for helping students understand it better; I know firsthand how daunting it can be. The joy I experience from interacting with students, watching them grow, and seeing their confidence soar is truly rewarding. It's a privilege to witness their hard work pay off.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

The most memorable teaching experience was when I had a student years ago who came from a broken home and was 3 grade levels below. He struggled with making friends and stayed to himself. As the year progressed, we got him on IEP, we had him work with our social worker to encourage him and build his confidence and by the end of the year he was almost proficient in all subjects. At the end of the year, he gave me the biggest hug and said he couldn't have handled 4th grade without having me.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won $25,000 as a teacher, I'd focus on creating an even better learning environment for my students with enhancing technology and hands on manipulatives. On top of investing in my classroom, I would love to remodel my kitchen and take a nice trip to Ireland to celebrate!