Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher to empower upcoming generations with knowledge and skills to face challenges that we cannot yet even imagine. My career as an educator started in the Peace Corps, when I discovered that I really liked to share knowledge and could bring an enthusiasm for learning among diverse groups of people. Education is the great equalizer that enables people from all backgrounds to use these incredible brains that we develop to think critically and take charge of our destiny.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

When I guided a team to the National Finals of a STEM competition that won a Grand Prize based on a project that developed through a team that I pulled together--including indigenous Mayan language speakers and a variety of tech-oriented whiz kids from a research program that I coordinate and teach, tears flooded my eyes because it was the culmination of many life experiences and inspired students from New Jersey to rural Washington State. This was truly a dream fulfilled.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I will use this money to ensure that several of my graduating students from low-income backgrounds will have the resources that they need to continue studying in college and beyond. These students trusted me on projects that helped them realize their own greatness, and from the trust that we built I need to ensure that they can reach their dreams. I would use any leftover funds to establish a nonprofit that will discover and develop other students with the same potentials and similar needs.