Tell us why you became a teacher

"I became a teacher most unexpectedly. I took a long-term substitute position for a teacher who left mid-year from December through June. My daughter, who was a teacher at the school, encouraged me to interview for the position. At first, I hesitated, but after praying, I felt led to move forward. I had no intention of staying, but once I started teaching, I discovered one of my true passions and purposes in life. Becoming a middle school math teacher has been an incredible joy and journey.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I have so many memorable moments as a teacher that it's very hard to pinpoint just one. I get goosebumps and a warm feeling all over when a student who struggles with math finally gets a breakthrough and feels a sense of accomplishment. When a student overcomes fears, rejection, and disappointments from failure after failure, I'm doing my job.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would pay off some debt, purchase some things for my classroom, and invest some money for a future tutoring center in my neighborhood. I don't plan to stop teaching when I retire. I want an after-school tutoring center to help out the children and teens in my neighborhood.