Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher after I built a relationship with my moms in home daycare kids and my siblings. When I was younger I dreamed of being a pediatrician but after realizing I would deal with the gore of children’s pains, I reluctantly changed.I found a new calling around age 11, and that was after watching my mom run and in home daycare with my siblings at that time they were 2, 3 and 7 months. I found joy in teaching them and helping them grow and found a new way to support children in my life.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was when a student choose to write about me for their best memories. It made me realize that my purpose is more than just helping them learn and grow but mostly giving them the opportunity to have fun and enjoy learning in school.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000 I would start a small business for girls with incarcerated parents. My father was wrongfully incarcerated for 27 years of my life, and during that time our family experienced trauma that forced me to learn to become a woman alone. I currently work with a group that empowers young girls and if I could use these statistics and ideas in a way that girls with incarcerated families could use to deal with societal issues , I’d be able to make a positive change in each of their lives.