Augusta Schmitz

I became a teacher for a couple of different reasons. When I was a student, I had some teachers who instilled in me a love of learning, and I also had some that made learning very difficult. I chose teaching so that I could help the future generations enjoy learning and become the best version of themselves that they can be. I also have a passion for serving children and youth.

I have had many experiences that will stick with me for years to come, but the one that sticks out the most is a more recent memory. During parent-teacher conferences I had 2 different parents (of 2 different students) tell me, with joyful, tear-filled eyes, that they had seen a significant, positive change in their child with regard to their attitude toward school and their academic scores. Both conferences ended with happy tears and hugs. I saw how powerful the work we do as teachers can be.

If I received $25,000, first I would tithe from it. The remainder would be used to help fund building a house on the land that my husband and I purchased several years ago. We divided his generational family farm with some of his siblings and created a family subdivision. We have not yet been able to build our home, and the award money would help greatly.