I became a teacher because I didn’t like school growing up. I wanted to help create a kind of classroom that kids actually wanted to be in. I thought back to the classes and teachers that made the biggest impact on me, and one stood out,my middle school Industrial Arts teacher. I called him years later, and he helped guide me into the same path. Twenty-one years later, I’m proud to say my classroom is sometimes the one class students still choose to attend. It’s a place they want to be.

This fall, my high school juniors designed and built an interactive preschool playground to spark curiosity and a love of learning. They created 10-foot mud kitchens with running water, water ramps, life-size scales for experiments, a magical reading nook with a mural, stained-glass art, and a giant painted U.S. map. Watching my students build something that inspires younger children to love school was unforgettable.

I’d love to take my family on a vacation we’ve never been able to afford, but the truth is we’ve taken on significant debt putting our twins through preschool because their education means everything to us. Winning $25,000 would help us pay down that debt, ease a huge financial burden, and give our family breathing room to keep investing in our children’s future. It would truly make a lasting difference for us.