Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because of the connection I felt with my fourth grade teacher. She saw something special in me and never let me forget that. At the end of the year she gave me the “Future Teacher” award. I still have the award today, and when I received my first classroom the same teacher donated supplies and reminded me of how special I was. I strive to be a life long cheerleader for my students in the way she always was for me. She lit a flame in me that has only gotten brighter with time.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I lost my boyfriend in a traumatic accident a year before my first year of teaching. My most memorable teaching experience was that first year in the classroom. After a year of everyone taking care of me, I was handed a group of 2nd graders and was expected to take care of them. Children have a beautiful way of healing broken parts of you. My students helped restore my broken spirit. We grew up together that year. Their infectious joy laid my jaded attitude to rest.

What would you do with the $25,000?

The first thing I would do with $25,000 is buy a self regulation classroom cruiser for my students (a bike desk). I work at a Title 1 school that serves a high population of children with sensory needs. A classroom cruiser would be a dream whole body learning tool! I would love to be able to provide my school with several of these. I would also like to invest it in professional development and a new vehicle due to mine being stolen. $25,000 could go a long way for my students and I!