Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because education had always been my passion. I wasn’t usually the top student, so I relied on caring teachers that were willing to make the attempts to teach me in innovative, engaging ways. I wanted to be one of those educators. One that would work to teach every student, even the child in the back, seemingly unengaged or uninvolved. I strive to help students make gains not only academically, but personally, socially, and emotionally as well.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I was teaching kindergarten a few years back and I assigned a sentence starter where students wrote what they believed. The sentence starter said, “I am special because ___.” One little girl proudly wrote, I am special because my skin is brown. In that moment I knew I was teaching her to see herself, love herself and to be proud of it.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would like to start a grant opportunity giving low income students access to after school music engagement opportunities. My husband just retired from the military and is opening a music school franchise, but I want to reach the students that need the outlet that wouldn’t be able to normally afford it. Music and performing gives children confidence to be the best version of themselves and I hope to offer it to more children.