Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I heard my call to education later in life. I was a magician at a theme park for over a decade and I noticed how I connected with children. I heard the comment, "You should be a teacher." So, I went to night school to get my degree and have been teaching for 15 years. I teach at the same school that I attended as a child, but I was a poor student. Now I try to be the teacher I needed as a child to the rural Appalachian town that gave me so much.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

During my 1st year of teaching a tornado came near my school. While my second graders were safe they were really scared. During the storm a huge tree was knocked down. While the tree was being cut up for removal, I asked the workers for a piece. My class and I started counting the rings and using the piece of the tree as a timeline and teaching tool. The piece of wood still remains in that school on display. When I talk to my students, they often talk about the tree. They never mention the storm

What would you do with the $25,000?

The town where I teach was hit hard my hurricane Helene. The teacher that I work with the closest and her husband, the assistant principal at my school, lost EVERYTHING in the flood. During all of this she lost her grandmother. They cannot catch a break. Through all of this, their support for the student never wavered. I would give them all the money. The title "America's Favorite Teacher" and a picture with Bill Nye is enough for me.