Shane Cunningham

Tell us why you became a teacher

I spent well over a decade "farting around" as my mom would say. i didn't have an idea of where I needed to be. Then i thought about the folks that helped influence the best parts of who I was. The people that weren't direct relatives were all teachers. I know that I wouldn't be where I am as a human if it weren;t for teachers I had as a kid. If I can be that for someone else then I am leading a life worth living.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I have a current student who was terrified to walk the halls between classes. He was scared of everything. He once told me he didn't belong in my acting and directing drama class because the other kids were way better than he was. I let him know that he had a voice and he had a story to tell and he deserved to be heard. I am so proud of this young person because they moved past thier own fear and anxiety.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I am driving a Ford Explorer from 2003. When I last took it to the mechanic, he said that he stopped totaling up the cost repair it when he got to $5000. I would love to get a newer vehicle. It sounds silly, but I'm sick of borrowing my daughter's car. Once that's done, I'm going to finally upgrade my work bag. i'm currently carrying my school gear in my son's old backpack. Then, with the last little bit of money, I'm going to take my wife to Gordon Ramsay's Steak for a beef Wellington.