Octavia Mahone

Tell us why you became a teacher

Honestly, I did not choose to be a teacher. The children chose me. While growing up, children always loved me. While traveling or shopping, special needs children always came up to me, wanting to touch me or dance and/or just wanted to be near me. The parents would apologize but by then, I would just tell the parents that it’s ok, I am use to it. The parents would just smile and say thank you.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

After teaching a unit on Driver’s Education, I had 5 out of 7 students to pass their driver’s test and get their learner’s permit. Now they are adults who drive to their jobs.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won $25,000, I would donate a portion to El Dorado Special Education Department to purchase materials for Adult Living, take a much needed vacation and give the rest to my two biological children to help with student loans (because they have truly been supportive of me working with my students, even during my time that I should be with them).