Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I have always wanted to be one. I use to play school with my sister when I was young and I would be the teacher and our stuffed animals were the students. I also wanted to be like some of great teachers I had throughout my education. In some cases I wanted to fill the void that some students may have experienced by not having teachers who looked like them.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I ran into one of my students in a drive through, she nearly jumped through the window and was like oh my God, Mrs. Tatuem! My own children were with me and were taken by surprise by her excitement. She told me that she was in college, working there part time and that she missed me and that I was one of the best teachers she’d ever had.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would put it away to use toward my kids college or trade education, so they would not have to take out loans for school.