Jordyn Marin

Tell us why you became a teacher

I grew up with a speech impediment and received speech services, where I met some of my best friends who also had learning disabilities. As a teenager, I saw my sister struggle with my nephew’s IEP and how uninformed she felt. That experience inspired me to become a special education teacher—not just to help students but to empower parents to navigate the legal jargon of an IEP. I love seeing students make progress—it’s what drives me and makes this work so rewarding.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable teaching experiences was with a first-grader who had just moved from Guatemala. I wanted to make sure she felt safe and welcomed in a new school where she didn’t know the language. I paired her with a bilingual student, included Spanish words in lessons, and shared books about Guatemala. Her daily smiles showed me I was making a difference. On Valentine’s Day, she gave me a unicorn plush with a tag reading 'to my teacher,' spelled phonetically. It still gets me emotional

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would do so much with this money. I have 3 biological children, two of whom have autism, and I would first invest into programs that could help change their lives, like sports leagues designed to help kids on the spectrum. I’d also use the money to take my family on a much-needed vacation, where we could enjoy quality time together without worrying about a tight budget. With our two foster children, only one of our vehicles fits all the kids, so I'd invest into a bigger vehicle.