Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

My 1st grade teacher inspired me to become a teacher. The way she love on us and taught us made me want to be just like her. As I started working with kids over 15 years ago I stated enjoying trying new things with them daily. I discovered that they wanted to learn but in a creative way. Some ideas I had planned didn’t work out. So we would try the activity a different way and the kids enjoyed it even more because they added their ideas to it.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my students refuse to do work or participate in group discussions because she doesn’t know the answer and it’s too hard and I don’t know how to do the work . I told her come and ask me for help. We were doing addition. I completed the lesson and give students their independent work. She came over and asked for help, I helped with the 1st and 2nd problem a little on the third problem. She had to get the answer by herself and she got it right, so we danced (her request) a win is a win!!!!

What would you do with the $25,000?

Open up a PreK center they would building foundational literacy skills. Focusing on phonological awareness as a class. Then build on as the class masters the skill!! Also provide afterschool care for students. The students who attend the aftercare will be involved with different programs that focus on STEAM and literacy skills and are fun.