Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

When I was in middle school, I had a really traumatic personal event happen to my family. I felt really lost and alone, and the only person who seemed to really care about me on a daily basis was my agriculture teacher. From that point on, he showed me how teachers can make a difference in students' lives. I thought I wasn't going anywhere, but his support changed my entire life. He always said," One day you will change the world." I made it my mission to do so one student at a time.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my favorite teaching experiences happened in my animal science unit. I am very big on animal welfare, but more specifically for exotics. We had just finished discussing why it's better to get your information from reptile experts instead of most petstores due to the lack of updated information. One student in particular who hadn't ever been interested in class came to me the next day and said, " I told my dad I want to do the work to get a gecko at home because of what you said yesterday.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With the $25,000, I would be able to finish my master's degree without worrying about how much money I have for groceries next month. I would put money aside to help my little sister pay for college, help my mom fix her house, and put money aside for a deposit on an apartment. I'd also use the money to invest back into my students. Many of the kids can't afford to buy professional clothing for FFA trips, so starting a scholarship program would help support the students even more.