Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a high school agriculture teacher because my agriculture teacher had such a profound impact on my life and I wanted to pay it forward. I want to make a positive difference in the lives of students by sharing knowledge, guiding them towards their potential, and acting as a mentor, which can be a deeply rewarding experience. I want to instill a love for agriculture and life long learning in todays youth so our best traditions of agriculture life will live on in America.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

After teaching for 31 years, it would be hard to pin point just one memorable experience. I think what stands out the most for me and something I will remember long after retirement, is when a student comes to me and says, "thank you". Thank you for teaching me something I didn't even know I needed to learn, thank you for preparing me for a career and for life, thank you for caring about me when others didn't, thank you for providing me learning opportunities that no one else could.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use some of it to establish a scholarship for an agriculture student in my program. I would definitely take a short vacation. The rest I would put in some type of investment towards retirement.