Tell us why you became a teacher

When I graduated high school I just knew I wanted to be an art teacher. It took me quite awhile to there - I had many obstacles a long the way. I was a single parent working full time going to school at night, I quit school a couple of times but never gave up. At the age of 37, I finally started teaching.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable time was when we were approached by Farmers Insurance to produce hero cards for NASCAR driver Kasey Kane. Students competed every 6 weeks either a new theme and the winners getting their design printed and handed out all over the country at NASCAR races. At the end we got some tickets to one of the races and one of our students who had one was approached to sign his autograph on his card. Then Kasey came to our school and our students were recognized. I was so proud of our kids

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would actually buy a much needed new car. But I would also use some of the money for my graphics classroom with updated technology such as printer and stylus pens, photo paper, ink and mat frames for the printed pictures. Cameras for photography too.