Michelle Carroll

Tell us why you became a teacher

My childhood dream job was being a teacher. I played being a teacher at school and home. My family and my husband's military career took priority and my career went by the wayside. Once my children graduated and went off to college I decided to put myself first and obtain my dream job. I have always worked with children from having my own licensed in-home daycare, helping in my children's classrooms, and parent assistant with Young Marines and dance classes.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Teaching Virginia Studies and coming to America, I role play that I am Captain John Smith and the students in my classroom are possible passengers on my ship. I acted like the Captain the entire time and interviewed every student on what can they do to assist me in the New World. Students get very involved and play along with me. If there is a "passenger" I am not sure about I ask what else they can do to help, they become very creative and are all wanting to go to the New World.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would first purchase Science hands-on material for my classroom since we are a Title 1 school and budgets are tight. I try purchasing as much as I can so that my students get to experience and get hands-on material to enhance my Science lessons. Next, I would pay off my son's debt from college so he doesn't have to repay loans when he finishes VMI. And with the balance, I would go on a little vacation with my family since we have not been on one in years.