Tell us why you became a teacher

I chose teaching because I know education changes lives today and shapes tomorrow. Learning strengthens confidence, creates opportunity, and helps students look beyond current obstacles. I strive to help students recognize their abilities, build meaningful connections, ignite curiosity, and feel safe and valued. Every child deserves high standards, encouragement, and strong advocacy. Supporting students as they grow from uncertainty to confidence is both my calling and my honor.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable experiences was supporting a student who struggled academically and personally. Early on, the student lacked confidence and often said, “I can’t.” I focused on building trust, holding check-ins, setting goals, and celebrating progress. By year’s end, the student confidently presented a digital media project and advanced it to the district level, saying, “Now I know I can do hard things.” That moment reaffirmed that teaching is about belief, growth, and empowerment.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I would strategically invest and enhance student learning by replenishing and expanding academic reading and history stations and hands-on materials, implementing interactive platforms and digital learning tools to enhance instruction and student engagement, inviting a facilitator to campus to provide professional development and support for both teacher and student academic progress, investing in opportunities that empower students, and celebrating their achievement.