Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because of the invaluable lessons I learned as a child, where my passion for education first blossomed. From an early age, I would gather my sisters for our own little classroom, eagerly playing the role of the teacher and sharing knowledge with them. Those formative moments ignited a deep-seated love for teaching, which has only grown stronger over the years. Today, teaching is not just a job for me; it’s a fulfilling lifestyle that I embrace wholeheartedly.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was realizing that effective classroom management comes from good teaching. While working with a tough student, I learned the importance of adaptability and personal connection. Teaching became a heartbeat of purpose for me. I discovered that empathy must come first; when you win their hearts, you unlock their minds. This experience reinforced my belief that teaching is about building relationships that foster a love for learning.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I would focus on initiatives to benefit my school and community. First, I would enhance classroom resources by updating technology and providing new educational materials for diverse learning styles. Additionally, I would allocate funds for extracurricular programs like sports and arts to engage students. Finally, I would establish community outreach programs, such as workshops and seminars, to strengthen the partnership between the school and families.