Tell us why you became a teacher

My family is very musical. My grandmother was the first to play the organ for the Yankee's baseball team and it sits on the N.H.R., while my great aunt Jo Walker Meador was the first executive director of country music. My parents were singers and instrument players and I just grew up with all of them in my life instilling in my the love and passion that music can bring to everyone. I took my own path into teaching to give back what they all taught me. Young minds have so much to learn!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

When I started teaching music in Georgia, we had a self contained room. There was a young man that didn't talk much. We started choir and he heard us, because his room was close to mine. Every time we started to sing, he got very upset. Finally the teacher asked me to come in and see if I knew what was wrong. (Degree in SPED as well.). He loved the song we were doing so we had him come in at that time. He actually started to sing with us. He would sway, sing and do great things.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 on my classroom for instrument updates that we need so desperately, as well as getting new music for our large choir. If any is left over, I would use it for a few more new microphones.