Tell us why you became a teacher

When I was young, my Mom used to read to me before bedtime. She would choose an exciting book and stop at a cliffhanger, promising the next chapter the following day. The feeling of anticipation and excitement that stirred in me was so powerful. I think I always knew that I wanted to help others experience that same joy that can come from books. Becoming a reading teacher felt inevitable and has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Last year, I had a 7th grade student in a Reading Strategies class who had never passed an SOL (our state's standardized test). He was smart but doubted his ability and admitted to often just guessing at responses because he thought it was a waste of time. He felt that he was bound to fail, so why even try. We worked so hard all year and as his skills grew, so did his confidence. He ended up passing the SOL and the look of pride on his face and the confidence he gained from it was priceless.

What would you do with the $25,000?

$25,000 would allow me to do several things. I would like to take a few classes that would help invigorate my teaching and add to my toolbox in order to help students who deal with reading difficulties and dyslexia. In addition, I would love to take my family on a trip. Through all my years teaching, I've witnessed that the experiences we have in life, the "doing", is where real learning takes place. This award would allow me to create a lasting learning experience for my family.