Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a reading teacher because when I was younger I did not enjoy reading. I wanted to help all students be able to read and to find a love of reading.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was when I was working with a dyslexic student. He had a very hard time reading and was several years below grade level. We started to work together using an intense reading intervention and I saw this student grow to become such a better reader. He was more confident and he felt better about himself as well. I haven't gotten him to love reading, but he no longer hates reading.

What would you do with the $25,000?

$25,000 is a lot of money and there is so much that can be done with that kind of money. I would definitely invest some of it so I am prepared when my daughter heads off to college. I would spend some of it adding books to my classroom library. I would love to use some of it to help get books into the hands of students that cannot afford any.