Michael McMullen

Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I was in 6th grade & the school was brought together to watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Our science teacher was so excited about this event because Christa McAuliffe was a crew member of the shuttle & she was going to be the first teacher in space. We sat horrified as we watched the shuttle explode in less than 2 minutes after the launch. When we went back to class we had time to reflect & I wrote a letter to my mom telling her that I was going to teach 6th grade science.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

In class we complete a lot of hands on lab activities. Each year the students come by the room and say they remember that lab, or that was my favorite lab. I have had student return or reach out to me to tell me that I was the reason they went on their field. However, I recently ran into a former student who told me that I was the reason they went into teaching and that felt great.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would take my wife and 4 daughters on a small vacation. I would also use some of the money in my classroom for supplies and a new 3-D printer. Finally I would purchase a tent and equipment for the high school track team I coach.