Tell us why you became a teacher

"Marlene, do you think your parents would want you to give less than your best in school because of their divorce?" I, a saddened and discouraged 4th grader, choked with tears, looked at my teacher Mrs. Covington and said, "No." Mrs. Covington long suffered with me all throughout my 4th grade year of elementary school. I was using books as an escape from the trauma and hurt I was feeling! My teacher spoke life and I am now a teacher- I want to do the same for other children for all my days!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Being able to speak life into all my students is the best feeling ever! A high school student told me how she was struggling with drug use, peer pressure and feeling like an outcast. I shared with her resources, counselor, trusted faculty and her present father to be her confidants. She shared with me at two weeks later the turn around of her life and her fresh new start! With tears in both our eyes, I congratulated her and it gave me reassurance that this is the mission field for me- impact!

What would you do with the $25,000?

My family in Haiti is suffering from the plights of gang violence, lack of food, safety, shelter and access to clean water. I want to give of the funds to support them and take care of all debt in our family! I want to see us go further than where we started and use the $25k to do that for us all.