Rhonda Mueller

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I noticed in my own children's educational experiences, often, a love for learning was being extinguished by education! Children who were excited about learning, were gifted with creative minds and unique ways of thinking, were made to fit into a box they did not belong. I wanted to be a part of keeping the fire for learning alive in young children. I wanted to be sure that children were welcomed, accepted and that they were educated according to their uniqueness.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

There are so many. Actually it's not a single moment that makes the most fulfilling memories but a progression! And that's learning - progressing! When I have that student who I was told would never be in class and then they reach the point where they never leave class - THAT is what it's all about! The student who was reading three grade levels below reads aloud complex grade level text - those are the moments that fill the heart! Not one, but a collage of moments.

What would you do with the $25,000?

First I would ensure that we never ran out of dry erase markers! I would provide every chair in our school community with an organizer that holds up beyond the first semester. With that kind of money I could pay teachers for time to expand their knowledge on how to build strong, safe communities where learning and repairing mistakes are the norm! Finally I would ask students what THEY need to enhance learning - they really do know and we need to listen!