Tell us why you became a teacher

I was apart of a scholarship program where I had to volunteer by tutoring and mentoring school age children that were considered “at risk”. The students were from low socioeconomic backgrounds and really struggled in school. The relationship I developed with them made me once to touch more lives this way, so I changed my career and became a teacher.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I had a student that struggled and on the brink of failing. I took my own time and tutored them after school. They end up passing the state test and becoming an honor roll student. Ten years later, the student reached out to me on Facebook and told me I was their favorite teacher and they couldn’t have done it without me. The child was in elementary school and still recalled the help I gave. This cemented for me my reason why.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I’m at a Title I school and would love to take my entire grade level on a field trip. This will give them a chance to experience something they never have before. I will also love to take my family on a nice vacation together, so we can build more lasting memories.