Tell us why you became a teacher

I became one by fate. I was a lab analyst, but I needed to move to be with my fiancé because she moved to a different city due to a new job. My best friend also lived there as a gym teacher and a football coach and just got a new head coaching job. He knew I was looking for a job and informed his new school of me. They reached out and interviewed me the next day and offered me the job. A few weeks later I moved and started my teaching career about 2 months into the school year. Now I love it.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable moments was during my 2nd year. A former student from my first year wrote me a letter for teacher appreciation week. She said that she appreciated me because my advice helped her decide which college to go attend. It was really reassuring, since I didn't know how I was doing as a teacher. She came back to visit last year and I learned the school was Maryland.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use it to help pay off my wife's student loans so we can start to look for a house to buy. I was fortunate enough to not have student loans during Undergrad, and only a small amount during grad school that I paid off. I want her to finally be free of this burden.