I'm not one of those teachers who always knew they wanted to be an educator. I knew what I enjoyed doing -- I've always loved helping people, feeling purposeful, working with kids, and learning about scientific concepts. I knew that I wanted to go into a field where I enjoyed going to work each morning. So, that is the path I strived to create for myself. Teaching came to me as a way of doing what makes me happy while creating a lasting impact on people as they move through the world themselves.

I was in the middle of an enthralling lesson on Punnett squares when -- quite abruptly -- a black bird flew headfirst into our classroom window. While the impact was sadly fatal, the actions that followed were beautiful. My students all gathered together, and we took a moment of silence for the bird. They started writing eulogy letters, some wrote poems. Even kids I didn't teach started bringing in notes one by one to line up on our classroom windowsill. It was a memorable moment of kindness.

My fiancé and I are both teachers in NC who work multiple jobs to support our family. In addition to being a 7th grade science teacher, I serve as our athletic trainer, mentor new teachers in our Beginning Teachers program, and lead training classes at F45. If I were awarded $25,000, I would use it to pay off our home, cover my fiancé's Master's classes, supplement my daughter’s education fund, and save for future family planning. I'd also like to donate to teachers in underfunded schools.