Tell us why you became a teacher

My whole life I wanted to be a veterinarian. However, due to a car accident in my senior year, my career choice changed when I couldn’t go to the college of my choice. I chose to become a teacher because of one of my English teachers. He home taught me the remaining of my senior year when I was injured from my car accident. I realized I wanted to become a teacher because the impact he made on me. I hope I instill the same love of learning in my students and make the same impact on them.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable experience is from a very troubled student who had very hard childhood. He responded to me in a different way than he did any other teacher. Because of him, I have learned ways to connect with boys just like him. I started making vision boards with the boys so that they see they have a future no matter what happens in the past, if they put their mind to it. This boy and many others have come to show me that they achieved some of their goals they had on their vision board.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use some of the money for my family and put aside for my own children’s college education. However, I would also like to use the money to take my students to see a Broadway play. My students live in Queens and have never visited NYC. We put on a play every year at school and I think if they saw an actual Broadway play, it might bring out a new talent and interest they never knew they had. I am in a title one school, so this is a trip that would not be possible without extra money.