Tarra Conrad

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher later in my life, after other jobs and staying at home with my own children. As I set out to determine my next steps, a pattern emerged. At each stage of my life, teaching was always a part. In grad school I taught lab sections as a TA, as a vet tech I taught people about their pet’s health, and as a stay at home mom I taught my children about their world. As I looked back, I could see how I was shaped by my education and felt a calling to take part in that process.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I think my most memorable experience was more of a sequence than a single event. When I started out teaching environmental science, I told my students that if even one of them felt a pull towards environmental stewardship as a career, then I would consider the year a success. The first time a student, four years later, asked me for a recommendation for college for environmental science and quoted that speech, stands out to me a pivotal moment.

What would you do with the $25,000?

As the costs of education balloon, while teacher salaries stagnate, I would put a good amount of the money towards a college fund for my children. I would also take some to sponsor a scholarship for my students to attend our school travel abroad programs. Leading students on these trips has been so meaningful, but I know not all students who would benefit from the experience can afford to do so, and I would like to help