I’m a product of my own amazing teachers who inspired me daily. I of course remember many educational lessons they gave, but moreover I remember their guidance, support and willingness to let me try and soar. They didn’t put me in a box and let my joy for learning shine and I wanted to offer that same support to the next generation. Educators do teach content, but we also show our kids ways to persevere, problem solve, emote, and connect. These are things a textbook just simply, cannot do.

Last year, due to budget, I was temporarily on an excess list. Since I teach high school, my kids were very aware. They not only familiarized themselves with local issues, but showed up to board meetings and my classroom daily. It wasn’t “standardized,” but watching them use their skills, passions and sense of community to advocate was a realistic lesson I hoped they’d one day learn and I was honored by their efforts and empathy. One even asked me to present their diploma at graduation!

I would save a majority of it for my grad courses in potential other districts. I also would love to use some of it to pay off my remaining debt. I pride myself on a classroom environment that is inviting and educational at all angles, and I have won “warmest classroom” as a superlative before, a fun and great honor. So, I would use some to buy more comfortable seating, poster paper for kinesthetic lessons and create a warm, and what I call a “learning even if you zone out” environment.