Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because my own journey showed me how powerful a helping hand can be. My mother was a substitute teacher, and as a third grader who struggled to read, I learned what it meant to be supported with patience and care. I wanted to give that same encouragement to students who find reading difficult. And coming from a family of engineers, I also hoped to inspire young learners to feel confident with their addition and subtraction facts so they could conquer the world.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable experience was in the early 1990s. I was a new teacher and I taught fourth grade in the Philadelphia Public Schools and had a student named Gilberto, an orphan living at Saint Vincent’s. Each morning, I tried to make him feel safe, welcomed, and loved. I was only 23 and wished my mom could adopt him, even though I knew it wasn’t possible because I was 1 of 6 children and my father passed away a year earlier. I still think about Gilberto and wonder where life has taken him.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to plant seeds for both my family and my students. I’d divide it into three investments for my daughters—at 25, 26, and 27, they’re building their futures, and I’d love to give them a stronger foundation. The rest would help me rebuild my classroom after losing everything to mold in August 2025, turning a difficult setback into a chance to create a brighter, more inspiring space for my first graders.