Tell us why you became a teacher

I am frustrated by people who say “I’m sorry” when they hear I am a high school teacher. I love it. I am sorry for those who do not have the opportunity to teach. It’s missing out on opportunities to be a student’s parent, teacher, mentor, therapist in times of struggle--anger, sadness, loss, and frustration. It’s the opportunity to be their rock. I am frustrated by people who say “I’m sorry” when they hear I am a high school teacher. They should be sorry that they are not.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience would be one that is intertwined amidst tragedy. Our class had lost a student over the weekend, and on Monday, I had the necessary job of explaining the loss to my class. We mourned and reminisced together, making sense of life’s unexpected turns. At the end of class, completely unprompted, each student in my class came to me and gave me a hug one by one. It was a beautiful moment of love, healing, and community that I will never forget.

What would you do with the $25,000?

It’s hard to fathom what I would do with the money, but in all likelihood, I would probably put some of that back into my classroom for supplies, snacks, decorations, and so forth. At the same time, I’d be a little selfish and treat my family to a vacation to Italy, Hawaii, Japan or Disneyworld. Maybe that will offset the money my family has helped put into my classes year after year. Thanks, fam.