I became a teacher so that I can have the opportunity to make a positive impact on students' lives and contribute to their development by shaping their future through education. This essentially means that I have the ability to directly influence the next generation and make a meaningful difference in our community. It allows me the ability to build relationships with students that might not have someone in their lives that can serve as a mentor. I had such an educator in my life.

There isn't just one memorable teaching experience but the one that does stick out the most is one in particular. There had been a student that had had issues the year prior to coming into my classroom. Basically, he had been labeled as a troubled child that needed a positive male figure in his life. Long story short, many had given up without getting to know what was behind his anger. His home life and the fact that no one had really stopped to listen to him. He just needed to be heard.

I would use the $25,000 to further my education to further my drive into assisting students in need. To be a voice for them. To become that great mentor that was once given to me as a child. As an educator, one should always seek and find ways to provide that drive in a child to inspire curiosity and critical thinking. There are so many ways that I could use the $25,000 to contribute to the future of young children's minds and the impoverished community that I serve.