Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

School was always my safe place. My teachers provided stable role models, support, encouragement, and a steady day when I couldn’t get those things at home. I grew up knowing I wanted to provide that to children. There are so many kids who see school as their getaway and safe haven and I wanted to nurture that type of environment.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I had a class of freshmen during the first semester who ended up being switched to other teachers because of scheduling mishaps. Our first week back this semester one of those students came to my classroom in tears. She was panicking because she didn’t think the new teacher would encourage her the way I did and accept her quirks. She is a student who has a lot of ideas that she wants to share and she said my classroom was the first one where she knew I would always listen to her thoughts.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would buy more accessible reading materials for my classroom. I especially want materials more accommodating for students with IEPs who need audiobooks as well as EL students who need texts in languages other than English. I think all students should be able to access a novel without having those unnecessary boundaries. I would also pay off the rest of my student loans from getting a masters degree as well as a new venture to get my special education certification.