Tell us why you became a teacher

With no children of my own, my students ARE my children. I care about them and their families and want to help each of them become the best versions of themselves. I foster relationships with families that last well beyond the end of the school year. It is so important to me to make a difference for children with tough home lives who use school as their safe space. Working at a Catholic school, I also LOVE teaching my students about Jesus, and I care about and love the kiddos I get to teach.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I worked with a student who had been severely abused and neglected. Over the course of the year, I developed a wonderful relationship with her, and she came to trust me. She would occasionally still lash out, and I remember her yelling "I hate you" one day after she was given a consequence for her behavior. I looked at her and said, "that's really a shame, because I love you so much." She collapsed into my arms in tears, and I held her while she cried. I will never forget that sweet girl.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I would start by outfitting my classroom with a vast library of awesome books! When I was little, I didn't like to read, but it turns out, I was just reading the wrong books! With this money all my kiddos would have access to the "right" books for their level. I would also love to check off one of the items on my bucket list--seeing the northern lights in Norway! Finally, donating some of the money to my favorite charities--Unbound, Rainforest Alliance, and IRC--would be a must!