Amy Wolstenholme

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a special teacher after I saw a need for good teachers for my son with autism. My dad was a teacher as well as my grandmother and aunt, and I wanted to follow their path for serving the community. I was able to get my teaching degree while working full time and raising 3 boys as a single mom. I have worked hard to become a teacher who never stops learning.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was the first time I had my students present a science experiment to a large group of adults. They had observed the life cycle of butterflies and made a slide show using the scientific method. Some used AAC devices to speak their part, and we released the butterflies we had observed after the presentation. I do it every year now.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would begin with paying off some of my student loans with the $25,000. I would also donate some of it to a charity called Operation Smile in my mother's name, as she helped me through my own struggle with a facial birth defect as both my mother and a nurse. I would use the rest of the money to invest in AAC devices for my classroom for my non-verbal students.