Mandy Stephens

Tell us why you became a teacher

I've always loved learning and wanted others to love it too. I believe that education is the foundation to a person's future. It like their tool box of life that, if it's well equipped, they can get the right tool for any thing that comes their way.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Every year when I teach color theory to 3rd graders for their first time, I love when we start blending the primary colors to make secondary colors. I here students say "it really is turning orange!" Then when they're done they have a complete piece of art made entirely from 3 colors and they are smiling from ear to ear because they are an artist.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Half the year I teach music and half is art. My music instruments are 20+ years old or cheep because that's all my budget can afford. I would get new, quality instruments for our program. In art I'm scraping by just to have hugh quality paper for water color paint and printing. I'd love to expand our printing unit and be able to purchase tools and materials. I'd like to more mural work but those tools and materials are costly and we've only been able to do it through donations in the past.