I became a teacher to be the one I needed growing up - someone who saw potential before performance and made feeling smart possible. I want students to see themselves as physicists, programmers, biologists, and leaders of industry now, not someday. My goal for them is to go out and explore the world, then return to strengthen the communities that shaped them.

After helping a student after school (and placing my purse and bag on a nearby desk), I discovered money missing. Instead of confronting the student, I taught a class lesson on integrity - doing right when no one is watching. The next day, the student said it changed how they wanted to see themselves. Later I found the money returned, folded into origami. It reminded me that teaching is more than lessons - it’s about giving students a chance to reflect and grow as people.

If selected, I would use part of the $25,000 to take my family on a meaningful vacation to celebrate the people who stand behind me every single day. I would also dedicate a large portion to establishing a recurring scholarship for my AVID Elective seniors. These are students who have worked tirelessly toward college, their futures, and support their community despite obstacles. Investing in their next chapter would be a powerful way to extend the impact beyond my classroom.