Tell us why you became a teacher

Teaching snowboarding in Colorado sparked my passion for equipping kids with lifelong skills. I craved a deeper impact, realizing the classroom was where I could truly shape futures. Fourteen years later, I know I have the world's best job. I became a teacher not just to deliver science content, but to build confidence, empathy, and critical thinking. Empowering students to become positive, active contributors to our society is my ultimate driving force.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

A student visited me six years after 8th grade, sharing she was studying pharmacology in college. She told me my class was the reason she entered STEM; it helped her finally see herself as a "science person" and gave her confidence to pursue it. My daily goal is to ignite that exact spark—to show every kid they are capable of mastering science. Seeing that belief materialize into her thriving college career remains my most profound and validating moment as an educator.

What would you do with the $25,000?

This life-changing grant would let me invest deeply in my students and my craft. I’d fund advanced professional development and upgrade my classroom with interactive STEM materials. Additionally, I’d take my family to Iceland to study their pioneering use of renewable energy firsthand. I would bring this real-world data and experience back to my school, enriching my curriculum and inspiring my students with global, cutting-edge science applications.