Anna Ball

Tell us why you became a teacher

I have always had a draw to those the "world" sees as an underdog or forgotten. My heart was created to love and cherish the sometimes not looked upon as worthy. With time and celebration of each step my students make gains in becoming more independent than they were before. I celebrate each step because no matter how tiny, those are steps are going somewhere!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Haha! My most memorable teaching experience is not one for the faint of heart or stomach but it created in me the ability to laugh. I got a mouthful of poop one time. It's a fun story but with it, I learned to laugh, I learned to pivot when my plans didn't work out the way I had hoped and I learned to love kids (even the "poop shover" which took some hard work on my part. There is a lot of "poop" in our job-- it's what you do with that poop that makes all the difference in the world!

What would you do with the $25,000?

With budget cuts so great and teachers (me included) spending our own money every single day, I would share it to create rich tactile environments to enhance curiosity.