Adrian

Tell us why you became a teacher

I started in the school system at 32yo as a para educator in a self-contained HS classroom. After witnessing how far behind some of these students were and seeing the potential they had, it was obvious the educational system failed them. I knew then that I had to do something to make a difference, so I went in to elementary special education so I could make a difference in the early years where foundational skills are learned and are the most critically important.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was during my internship. I was employed under a provisional certification while completing an Alt. A program through West Alabama. This was during my second year and I had a student that the year prior I struggled to get work out of. After going through a reevaluation, I learned this young man wasn’t refusing to do the work or waiting on me to give him answers, he truly did not understand any of the work I was giving him.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would put it towards classroom supports, mainly the supports you can’t buy with school/state funds. Things like weighted blankets, weighted plushies, sensory bins, etc. I would ensure my classroom had a true calming/sensory corner and that I had top tier social emotional and behavioral curriculum for my students with such needs.