Patricia Reedy

Tell us why you became a teacher

I have wanted to be a teacher since I was 6 years old. My aunt who was in ESE teacher made a great impact on me. She inspired me and told me that every student no matter their limitations all deserve the same kind of love and care. Knowing that these students may not have that love and care at home is why I became a teacher. Knowing I can provide a whole group of students love and care that they may have never had brings me joy and is why I became a teacher.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

The most memorable thing about my teaching experience happened when I was able to reach a student that was struggling with her mental health. She came to me & explained that she had been dealing with some depression & had been hospitalized for it. She had asked me what her makeup work was but I told her that her mental health was more important than school work. After that she had pulled me aside & said thank you for the care I gave her because none of her other teachers had given her any care.

What would you do with the $25,000?

The money would be spent, of course, towards my students. I work at a title one school and the students have very little. I would use it to help the school become 1-1 with laptops which would benefit our students immensely.