Sandy

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher originally because of the subject matter. I am a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and I get to teach everything about what is important in life. I get to guide students as they think about their futures and help them learn skills for daily life. I was a camp counselor for 6 years and combined my love of leadership, working with older kids, creativity, and all things survival into my career.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

It is hard to choose just one time. I had a new student in a foods class who was so happy because he had never cracked an egg in his life. It was so cute to see his pure joy as he made homemade scrambled eggs for the first time. I had another student that went from being a shy, quiet, "fly under the radar" to the president of my FCCLA for 2 years straight. In his speech during our senior banquet, he told me that I was the reason he was the leader he had become.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I pour a lot of my own money into my program. I am fortunate that I can take care of my needs with no kids of my own and low cost of living while providing resources for my students. I would put this money into my FCCLA program to provide more leadership opportunities to my student members. I would also like to purchase some equipment I have been wanting for my food labs and online programs for teaching health and other subjects. I would also like to take my sewing class on a field trip!