Colleene Little

Tell us why you became a teacher

I was a stay at home mom with my kids for many years. Just after age 40 we found my husband was going to need open heart surgery. I was scared and wanted to be able to take care of my family if something happened. By age 42 I had finished my degree, received my teaching certificate and then my masters. I became a first grade teacher. I started out teaching for the love of my family but I fell in love with the students I taught. I now teach art to all 625 students at my elementary!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I am the art teacher at my elementary but I also volunteered to help start a garden at my school called Blooming Generations. We connect seniors with students to share how to tend a garden and in turn we produce food for seniors and the community. It has been my pleasure teaching kids that playing in dirt produces the best vegetables. In a society where everything can be produced fast a garden takes time and care. I will never tire watching students find joy in the harvesting of crops.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would love to say I would use it all for my classroom, and truth be told some of it would go to supplies and the garden. I really would like to pay off my student loans and hire someone to help me rebuild my pump house that is almost ready to fall down with the next strong storm.