Joseph Brunetti

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because my experiences in high school were less than meaningful. I have a love of literature, writing, and learning about the world; I want to transmit this love and curiosity to every student that I encounter. My goal is to make every lesson meaningful, engaging, relevant, and important to students. So many times I heard (and I thought to myself during my high school years) that school isn't relevant, or school isn't realistic. Every day, I aim to change those minds.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I had a student who was resistant to learning and had a negative view of school. My educational vision is to create engaging lessons every day. Instead of traditional read the story and answer analysis questions after reading, I designed a lesson that incorporated classroom movement, real world connections, student collaboration, and student voice. During the lesson I heard the student exclaim that "this is the way learning should be." This validated my philosophy and still inspires me.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the money for a down payment on a house. Right now, I am renting a small apartment due to the high cost of living in the area where we live and the incompatible teacher salary. The apartment is too small for my family, but I can afford it. With this money, I will purchase a home with a yard for a dog, enough room for our family from Costa Rica and Pennsylvania to visit us, and where we can live comfortably with enough space and tranquility. It will be our dream home.