Juliana Lewis

Literacy is an essential skill for lifelong success, as is the ability to think critically. Students deserve the chance to master those skills using a curriculum that engages them. I became a teacher to continue the legacy of my own teachers, to foster an engaged community of learners in the classroom.

My most memorable teaching experience came at the end of a unit during my 11th grade American Literature class. Students were given the opportunity to apply the skills they learned to a text of their choosing. One young man, Anthony, who usually was not one to raise his hand, became so passionate about his chosen text because he saw his own family history mirrored. He had an opportunity to personally connect, and he flourished because of it. I will never forget his excitement.

As a teacher, I understand the burden of student loans. With $25,000, I would invest in a college fund for my children, ensuring they can pursue their education without the weight of debt, allowing them to focus on their studies and future aspirations.