Tell us why you became a teacher

Some of the most influential people in my life were teachers. They loved me, taught me, nurtured me, saw me, and valued me. I wanted to have that impact on others that they had on me.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I use a technique called "four at the door"...I greet each student "hand to hand, eye to eye, name to name and heart to heart". The heart to heart is a question, normally "what is something kind you have done for someone else in the last 24 hours?" One day, I was late to stand there and I told the kids to just go on in...they stood there...one finally said, "No, Miss...we want our greeting, it reminds us everyday to do something kind." I knew my students felt seen, valued and loved.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Man...I have been teaching for almost 30 years and I would use it to pay off my student loans. How sad...I would love to travel with my husband but that debt needs to be paid off first.