Tell us why you became a teacher

Since I was nine years old, I have wanted to be a teacher. As a child, I experienced homelessness while caring for a parent who was dying of AIDS. Most of my teachers were aware of my situation at home but were hesitant to intervene due to the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in the 1990s. I promised myself that when I became a teacher, I would be a teacher who leads with love, understanding, empathy, and high expectations for all students. It's not where you're from, its where you're going.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most unforgettable teaching moment took place in Seoul, South Korea, teaching English as a Second Language. When my students met me for the first time, they looked surprised, as if they had seen a ghost! Many of my students had never met an African American person in real life, given that Korea is a homogeneous society. Most of my students had only seen African Americans on TV or in magazines. They were genuinely curious and eager to learn about me, my culture, and the United States.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Throughout the year, I volunteer at Camp Dreamcatcher, a camp for children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. I was one of the first campers to attend this camp in 1995. Camp Dreamcatcher is a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where kids can truly be children again. I would love to present Camp Dreamcatcher with a large check to help continue sending children to camp. I would also like to build several Little Free Libraries in impoverished areas to provide diverse books for kids.