Joan Lim

Growing up, I had a challenging upbringing. Ambition & passion weren’t skills I learned, until I encountered my 5th & 6th grade teachers. These women taught me that background, status, education, and so on were not meant to be obstacles but stories for humans. This shift in perspective impacted my life immensely. My goal is to help students truly believe that the sky is the limit. I went into education hoping to reach students like myself to instill ambition, spark passion, and foster kindness.

My most memorable teaching experience would be in my first year. In the whirlwind of becoming a teacher, I had forgotten the WHY behind my career choice. The students who walked into my classroom reminded me of my purpose. One student, in particular, disrespectful, English learner, known for “poor behavior” became a student I built a strong relationship. He had come in to my class with labels of his background, status, and behavior, yet we crossed off one at a time as our relationship deepened.

Miss Lim is getting married in 70 days! My fiancé and I are so excited for our life to begin! Our dream to save up for a forever home can start once we’ve saved enough money. With the winning $25,000, it would help us tremendously to start our new chapter, begin our own family, and create a space for others who need it. In a side quest, I would also want to revamp my classroom. I would love to purchase books that ensure students have exposure to diverse and inclusive authors and illustrators.