Tell us why you became a teacher

If we are being honest, teaching was never in the plans for me. I was a Shriner's Hospital for Children patient from the age of 1 to 20. During this time I grew to enjoy the health care side of things, especially physical therapy and how much those providers helped my mobility. However, when I entered college I quickly drifted to education and changed my major after the first year. I instantly loved the idea of working with students and helping them see their potential each day.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching moment is hard to narrow down to one. I have worked in special education from elementary, middle, and high school levels. I am currently in the high school and I guess I would have to say my favorite thing of all is having students come back into my classroom after graduation and telling me about what their adult life looks like -- what they are doing for work, how college is going, what successes they have had, and even how I have possibly helped them.

What would you do with the $25,000?

As any teacher knows, some of this money would go back into my classroom -- possibly updating furniture, purchasing life skills materials, snacks for high schoolers who are always hungry. I would also love to put the remainder to my student loans.