Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I believe everyone has unique wisdom to share—from seniors and incarcerated individuals to artists at Juilliard and teens at TEDx. These diverse groups teach me about resilience, creativity, and second chances. Teaching is a mutual dialogue where we all grow together. It’s about creating spaces where ideas flourish, perspectives transform, and we have the freedom to dream boldly. This exchange of experiences fuels my passion to teach.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I learned the most powerful lesson about teaching: the importance of simply showing up. After class (in a jail) I told a student, "See you next week." She said, “ok.” When I returned, that student greeted me with genuine surprise: "Oh wow, you came back!" I said, "Of course I came back—I told you I would." She said, "Everyone says they’re coming back, but no one ever does. You do!" I learned simply showing up honors those who depend on me and creates hope, transformation, passion, and purpose.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I’d invest it directly into the heart of my teaching—into creating life-changing, inclusive learning experiences for every student. I’d channel a portion of the funds into expanding my workshops and programs and I'd set aside money to develop interactive curricula that foster passion for learning. I’d establish a small scholarship fund for underserved learners, so financial barriers don’t prohibit someone’s opportunity to grow. I would reinvest every dollar into nurturing educational spaces!