Tamara Hansen

Tell us why you became a teacher

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I fell in love with my kindergarten teacher. She was so kind , nurturing and made learning fun. I started pretending I was her after school and playing school for hours on end at home. My dolls, stuffed animals and the kids my mom took care at our home daycare. My “school” quickly went from being my bedroom to the garage to my dad and grandfather building me my own playhouse/school in the backyard. I never really decided to be a teacher, I just knew I was.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

This is a hard one, because I have so many over the years. I would have to say, the past couple of years because I have stared to see my impact outside of my classroom. I received a Champion for Children for working with at-risk students using trauma-induced practiced and advocating for my students. I also received a Teacher of Excellence and Teacher of the Year awards. I never got into teaching excepting or wanting awards. I feel like I am awarded daily watching my students learn and grown.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Buy a house for my family! My husband and I have been married for 15 years and we have two children, 14 and almost 12. I stayed home with them until they went to school themselves, had student loans to take care of and other things get in our way over the years… so we have never been able to save for a big down payment. But, we are now ready to stop renting... but in today’s market still need a larger amount to put down to finally purchase our first home. This wod be a dream come true!