Tell us why you became a teacher

I was always a curious kid that believed in fantasy, could get lost in a book, and enjoyed adventures of all kinds. As I progressed through school, there were points where that kid was encouraged and times when that curiosity was discouraged. I became a teacher so that I could champion all kids when they needed it, deserved, or just plain didn't know they could be a champion.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

While many memorable experiences occur throughout the years, one happened while teaching elementary students about ocean habitats. Some students had never been to a beach nor had they seen the organisms of the ocean other than in print or online. As they began to observe their environment at the beach, "real life learning," as one student exclaimed was happening. Students initially hesitant to hold organisms became the ones leading their groups by retrieving them from tide pools and nets.

What would you do with the $25,000?

As many teachers do, some of this would be spent reinvesting in my classroom and communities that my classroom serves. While I am their teacher, the students have also put in the work to make me who I am as a teacher so reinvesting in the classroom to continue this would be a top priority. Tools that need replacing, consumables that always run out, technology upgrades and more would be ways that I would use the $25,000. The rest? Maybe a spa day before a Hawaiian adventure or pay off some debt.