Teresa Haley

I became a teacher because I believe that children are the future. It sounds cliche, but teaching is my passion. I was inspired by the teachers who invested in me, saw my potential & showed me I was capable of achieving my goals. I wanted to be a small part of paving the way for tomorrow’s difference makers, so I became a teacher.

The first time I was awarded a large grant which provided funds for new playground equipment is one of my most memorable moments. I still remember the pure joy on the children’s faces when we hung the “big check” in our room. & they ran out to new swings. It was the first of many fully funded projects from mobile stem labs to a podcasting studio, all giving students unforgettable learning experiences & giving me a collection of my most memorable teaching experiences.

Everyone knows that living on a teacher’s salary is challenging. I should be practical & use the money to pay bills. Yet, investing in the future is one of the reasons why I became a teacher, so why not use the award to invest in my future? It is my dream to pursue my PhD. I would use the money to further my education, empowering me to expand my influence as an educator.