Victoria Tambornino

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became an elementary and middle school technology teacher because I wanted to inspire young minds, empower students with essential digital skills, and prepare them for the future. Technology opens doors to creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, and I love guiding students as they explore, innovate, and grow. Seeing their excitement when they learn something new fuels my passion. My goal has always been to make a lasting impact and help students become confident digital citizens.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

A memorable experience was watching 8th graders transform into confident storytellers while creating the New Ulm Middle School newscast. A shy student found their voice directing, while another discovered a passion for video editing. The energy was electric—students collaborated, problem-solved, and took pride in their final product. Seeing their excitement when the newscast aired showed me it wasn’t just about tech; it was about teamwork, creativity, and finding their voice.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I would enhance technology education by investing in cutting-edge tools like robotics, coding kits, and VR for hands-on learning. I’d expand digital citizenship programs, provide professional development for educators, and create engaging student projects like multimedia productions. Partnering with local organizations, I’d foster real-world learning experiences. The goal is to inspire, empower, and equip students with future-ready skills in innovative ways.