Jenny Lujan

Tell us why you became a teacher

I fully enjoy watching others succeed. I especially enjoy watching my special population grow and achieve success in ways they never thought possible. Their happiness and gratitude is my joy in teaching.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

During teacher appreciation week a student gave me a thank you letter. In this letter she told me she wanted to thank me for not only being someone who taught her how to enjoy reading and writing poetry, but for giving her a moment of my time to listen and talk to her. She said she planned to take her life that day, but because I showed her there was someone who cared to listen, I saved her life. That moment is forever engrained in my mind and my heart.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use my funds to create a sensory room in my school that my students can use anytime they are feeling overwhelmed. This sensory room could also be used by my colleagues when they too need a much needed break.