Tell us why you became a teacher

I care about helping kids grow, not just academically, but as people. I like taking big ideas and breaking them into lessons that actually make sense. Teaching lets me use my creativity, patience, and problem-solving skills every day. I wanted to make a difference in my community. Seeing students gain confidence, understand something they struggled with or feel supported makes the hard work worth it. Being a teacher means I get to guide, encourage, and inspire young people.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of the most memorable teaching experiences happened while I was going through cancer treatment. There were days I felt exhausted, but walking into my classroom gave me strength. My students were learning ecosystems, and they surprised me with handwritten cards comparing our class to an ecosystem where everyone supports each other. We still did labs, laughed, and celebrated small wins, and it reminded me why I chose this career. Teaching during that time showed me how strong I am.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would help the school and students out as much as I can. Lab kits for science units, new chromebooks or headphones for struggling students, flexible seating for focus, and printer ink/supplies and this will make less stress for teachers.