Tell us why you became a teacher

I worked for many years with middle school and high school students at summer camps, church youth groups, etc. I loved getting to be with them throughout their weeks and summer but saw an opportunity getting to walk alongside them in the day to day. I LOVE reading and writing and wanted students to have the tools to love it too!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

We recently read a book that touches on themes of family, trust and forgiveness. In a discussion through how those themes are relevant in their own lives, it was a joy to witness not only honest discussion but how students cared for one another during it. They took complex themes from the text and applied it to their own while caring for each others experiences in the process. Moments like that are the WHY behind what I do.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Honestly, I would pay off a large part of my student loans. We all know it isn’t exactly free to be trained in teaching! I also have a dream of stopping my “have to” side jobs outside of school and replacing them with “what do you mean I get to???” jobs like flower arranging and baking. Lastly, I would give my classroom the makeover of my dreams!!!