Kayla Hamilton

Tell us why you became a teacher

Honestly, it was by chance. I had quit my job in July a few years ago and schools were urgently hiring at that time of the year. I started in a 4th/5th grade position and instantly fell in love with it. I love being able to help these children, not just with school but building actual relationships with them so they feel comfortable with me.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My first year was crazy. I felt like no one was learning anything but then I was able to work 1 on 1 with a student who was very behind in math. The moment I saw what we were doing click in her mind was life changing. Since then, I’ve seen it happen several times but that was the first. She had always been a little behind in math and so she was so excited to feel like she was understanding it for the first time in a long time.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000 I would buy so many pencils, pay off my credit cards, and then take my sister and niece on a trip. My sister is a single mom, in nursing school, and working. Her daughter is 3 and is my favorite person on this Earth. We would go do something fun because my sister deserves it.