Peter Slaughter

Tell us why you became a teacher

I remember when I was sixteen life was just hard and I didn't know how to move forward. When I hit that low point I realized all I needed was someone to listen and for me that was my high school debate teacher. He inspired me to not accept where I was at but challenged and pushed me to grow and apply myself. As well my father and my mother have dedicated their lives to serving others, so when the time came I wanted to do the same.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One day my student was just standoffish and slowly day after day became more so. I invited him to grab his lunch and come talk with me and he did. He had quit the football team because he found out he was having a baby at 16 and he had already found two jobs and was working to save for his kiddo. The mother of his girlfriend went and had the baby aborted without him knowing. We cried together and from that day on I fought hard for all students that came through my doors to give them a future.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I currently am doing research in how to retain teachers and I would most likely take that money and use it to empower teacher students to become teachers. Work to get them the training and experience so they can grow and prepare the future that we as teachers are working so hard to save.