Neeli Boyd

Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

Ironically, I can’t say I grew up hearing the call to teach. Little did I know, “pre-law” wasn’t actually a major. With quick declaration, I chose what, in reflection, was second nature; Education. My mother, now retired, was a Special Education Teacher. My childhood’s full of memories assisting her with school projects, helping at my little sister’s preschool while in middle school & volunteering as a camp sponsor. After beginning my classes, I knew education was where I was meant to be.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I invest in my students for life & my greatest hope is they will continue to build on the lessons of character & academic skills they learned while in my care. The memorable moments come when parents of students I had over a decade ago, text me a new basketball schedule so I can come watch or when a graduation card comes in the mail & after working 1-1 with a little girl for a year & half to develop reading skills & her first successful reading of a word is caught on video.

What would you do with the $25,000?

25k would be life changing. I have held at least 1 part time job while teaching for 13 of my 16 yrs. I paid off 24k in student loans & am still driving the car I purchased in 2010. I would max out a Roth IRA contribution for my retirement & open a trust fund for my niece, whom I share co-guardianship of, w/ my mom. I would donate to Feed the Children, witnessing first hand the need. I would probably also put a down payment into my savings account to go towards my next car & take a vacation.