Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a music teacher because my life was positively changed by great music teachers. Performing in choirs and bands in middle school and high school boosted my confidence, and that is now something I get to teach to others. As a teacher at a Pre-K-8 school, I get to be their music teacher for 10 years of their life. It is remarkable and humbling to see the progress they make as performers and people over those years. It is also just so much fun!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most rewarding and memorable moments of teaching have been our service projects in the community. Music has a special way to connect and heal people. Each year, I take my middle school choirs and show choirs to sing at various nursing homes and care centers. We go often enough that students build friendships and connections with the residents. We often invite them to our musicals and the performances as well. It is important to me that students learn to be good citizens and kind humans.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest it in furthering my education. I have been working toward my third level of certification with Orff-Schulwerk, a process for teaching music. Part of this certification is also working towards a masters in music education. I would love to be able to finish my masters without accruing more debt. I would also love to one day attend the Broadway teacher workshop to further my skills as a musical theater director!