Tell us why you became a teacher

I started off as a substitute teacher and got to know the kids and they told me how teachers never stayed for them and they went through so many teachers and had trust issues. I decided I didn't just want to be another person who let's them down, so I went back to school to become a certified teacher so that I could keep my class and kiddos, that way I would be their last teacher until they graduated. After they graduated I wanted to help more kids and stayed.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

There are many memorable things about teaching but I think the biggest would be just creating a space where the kids felt comfortable enough to joke around, feel like they could be themselves and have the classroom feel like a big family. They would come in feeling insecure and quiet and to see the change of them opening up and being themselves was memorable.

What would you do with the $25,000?

In all honesty I have debt from school to pay off, bills and expenses. I love being a teacher but we don't make enough for most living expenses.