Tell us why you became a teacher

I have always had a passion for learning and did not realize it was my calling until I entered the classroom after losing my job two years ago. Within my first year of teaching, leadership begin to express the quality in my natural ability to transform the learning environment and grow student’s skills.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

During my first year of teaching, I noticed a student never participated in reading. One day she pulled me aside and asked me to teach her to read. She was in the fifth grade reading on a first grade level. By the end of the year she grew two grade levels and I watched her confidence grow before my eyes. This is what it is all about, empowering students to navigate their future!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to invest in a nonprofit learning center for English language learners. Literacy is a huge epidemic in the educational sector. I can utilize my MBA to start a business to empower English learners. There are so many avenues in education, but I would like to dedicate my time to an area I am most passionate about and that is ending the literacy issue in education.