Carl LaJaunie Jr.

As a music educator, I’m driven to inspire students to rise beyond any circumstance and achieve things they thought were never possible.

Currently 6

in their Group

Help me become America's Favorite Teacher, win $25,000, a trip to Hawaii, and appear in Reader's Digest!

Voting for the TOP 5 ends Thursday the 16th of April at 7PM PDT
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The winning teacher's inspiring story will appear in Reader's Digest, celebrating their remarkable influence on education.

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Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher to show underprivileged students they can achieve anything they set their minds to. My high school band director invested deeply in me, shaping my success and passion for music. Now, I’m driven to pour that same dedication into the next generation and help them reach their full potential.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was leading my high school band to earn a Superior Rating for the first time in school history. My students dedicated countless hours to improving, and seeing their hard work pay off in that moment was incredibly rewarding. It showed them that discipline and commitment lead to success.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With the $25,000, I would support my family while investing in my professional growth by pursuing a master’s degree in Music Education. As a lifelong learner, I’m committed to continuously improving as an educator so I can better serve my students and help them succeed.

Planetary Society Planetary Society

Help Carl LaJaunie Jr. become America’s Favorite Teacher while supporting a great cause! Cast your daily vote below, or make an even bigger impact with a tax-deductible donation benefiting the Planetary Society.


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