Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a Special Education teacher because I wanted to give others what I did not get as a student; someone to believe in me. I want to show others that regardless of their situation or circumstances, you are capable of learning and of being successful. I have always loved learning & working/helping others. I have been teaching for 27 years & even with the ridiculous amount of paperwork, testing, political nonsense that continues to invade education, teaching is in my blood and heart.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Many times as teachers we never know the impact we make in our students lives. Several years ago I received a fb private message from a young man asking me if I was the Ms. McDonald that taught at a school in NY where his mom went to school. I was a little skittish and asked why he wanted to know. He replied, “I grew up hearing all about you from my mom. My mom’s prom picture with you in it, is posted on our refrigerator. It’s like you are part of our family. You helped my mom in so many ways.”

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won the $25,000 dollars, the majority would go to pay my mortgage. I am a single mom. I used my retirement $ from my NY and CA teacher retirement $. My 4 kids and I needed a roof over our heads after a difficult divorce. I would like to use some of the money to visit my student April in NY. The son that reached out to me via FB, lost his life to a drunk driver about 3 years ago. April wanted me to meet her kids and see all that she had accomplished because…someone believed in her.