People become teachers for many reasons, but for me it comes down to a simple idea: I wanted to make a difference in children’s lives. From a young age, I admired the teachers who created classrooms where students felt safe, encouraged, and excited to learn. They didn’t just teach reading or math—they helped students believe in themselves. That inspired me to want to do the same for future generations.

At my school, students take a certain test 4 times throughout the year to determine their reading level. The goal is to get a “gold medal” to signify they’re on track. One of my students didn’t know English very well so I made sure to give her the right tools throughout the year. In April, the last test came. She called me over when she was done to click submit together. A gold medal popped up. We looked at each other with happy tears in our our eyes. These are the moments I strive for!

I would invest it directly into creating richer learning experiences for my students and strengthening the classroom community that helps them grow. Teaching young children is about building a foundation—not only in reading, writing, and math, but also in confidence, curiosity, and kindness. With this opportunity, I would focus on resources and experiences that inspire my students to love learning from the very beginning.