Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I believe education changes lives. I wanted a career where I could combine my love of science with meaningful impact. Teaching allows me to create hands-on experiences, build confidence in students, and help them see their potential beyond the classroom. I am passionate about fostering curiosity, resilience, and real-world skills that prepare students not just for tests, but for life. Being part of their growth and watching them succeed is what drives me every day.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable teaching experiences was leading a classroom hatching project. Watching students care for the eggs, track development, and witness chicks hatch sparked pure excitement and curiosity. Even students who struggled academically became fully engaged. It wasn’t just a science lesson, it became a lesson in responsibility, patience, and wonder. Seeing their faces light up reminded me why hands on learning matters so much.

What would you do with the $25,000?

After 12 years in healthcare, I know that real science is messy and unpredictable. By prioritizing immersive learning, I’m giving my students the chance to move past the 'clean' results in a textbook and solve the kind of high-stakes, real-world problems they’ll actually face in a lab. This $25,000 would provide the specialized tools they need to stop acting like students and start thinking like scientists.