Cheryl

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because education is the most powerful tool for equity. For many children, the classroom is the only place where they are defined by their potential rather than their circumstances. I choose this profession to be an advocate and a constant to ensure that every student, regardless of barriers, knows they are important.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I use to believe that struggle was a sign of failure, until I watched a student’s frustration transform into a sudden, radiant “aha” moment. “For months, the silence from the back of my classroom wasn’t an absence of thought, but a wall of anxiety that I had to learn to scale alongside my student. I realized that for a child with undiagnosed Selective Mutism wasn’t just academics, but emotional. My role was to provide scaffolding of safety, until she was comfortable enough to say a simple word.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won $25,000, I would adopt a balanced approach that prioritizes long term stability while allowing for a meaningful, life enhancing experience. First, I would allocate a portion to eliminating high interest debt and bolstering my emergency fund. Next, I would set aside an amount for an adventure fund, creating lasting memories and a more secure future.