Tell us why you became a teacher

I fell in love with teaching during a student teaching experience in a class I initially took for an "easy A." Being placed in a classroom with underprivileged students opened my eyes to the impact I could have on their lives. Seeing the positivity and joy I could bring to their day was life-changing, and I realized there was no feeling more rewarding. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to making a difference in students' lives every day.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable teaching experiences was guiding students through a unit where they created their own museum exhibits based on their passions. Collaborating with professionals from our local museum, students brought their visions to life, made meaningful community connections, and found excitement in learning. Watching their passion turn into tangible exhibits was inspiring and reinforced my goal of fostering creativity, connection, and a love for learning in every class I teach.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I strive to instill a love of lifelong learning in my students by modeling it myself—currently, I'm pursuing my doctorate. While this journey is incredibly fulfilling, it has also brought significant student loan debt. Receiving $25,000 would be truly life-changing, allowing me to pay down my loans and focus more on my passion for education. This support would empower me to continue growing as an educator and inspire my students to pursue their own dreams without hesitation.