We all have the moments throughout our lives when we didn't quite get it, or we needed something extra from a teacher to push us. My elementary Art teacher taught me I was a creator, my high school Art teacher taught me I was a decision maker, and my college Art professor taught me I could think critically and I had something to say. Each of these teachers taught me the importance of being myself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else. I hope to be that for my students.

As a teacher, I facilitate experiences that resonate with students in developmentally and culturally relevant ways. Each day I see glimmers of brilliance in the students I teach, maybe it is student who doesn't believe they are capable of creating something finally boasting about their work to another student, a student that teaches me how to better instruct through their engineering of an art problem or simply the unwavering courage of a student bold enough to declare "I am an Artist."

I would use this money to invest in the future educational endeavors of three of my most favorite students, my own children, Henry, Elliott and Celia. I would also forge lasting memories with them by traveling the world in the summers. I would use our travel experiences as inspiration to encourage and engage my students in finding meaning in their lives, to understand and interact in knowledgeable ways with the world, and to inspire others.