Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

“My voice wasn’t my choice, now we can speak” K.A.Turpin, being a homeless teenager and not knowing where my next meal was coming from or whether my shelter would fall down in the middle of the night, I’m grateful. My voice wasn’t heard as a teen, and all I wanted was somebody to listen to my vulnerable emotions. So now that I can hear, I’m using my voice to build a solid foundation as a sound board for my students. To finally speak. I teach, so others whom are silenced, can finally be heard!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Work is like a family to me; growing, learning and trying to better understand the person around you. But I couldn’t understand why one student was struggling to pass the sixth grade for the second time. Language barrier, but one thing he loved was music. After joining the dance team, he become confident, vocal, and received honors into 7th grade. Now on the path to a record deal.

What would you do with the $25,000?

The arts have been really suppressed in my school and community. I would love to bring back community shows, and events which will allow other businesses to provide resources for our students. Creating and owning my own afterschool facility to hone into the arts for our community in Brooklyn. Also give access for more tools that can be included in all avenues of the arts inside my school community as well.