Tell us why you became a teacher

When I was in 3rd grade, I had a teacher who made me feel like I mattered and that I could do something great with my life. That feeling stayed with me. I realized I wanted to be that person for other kids, someone who encourages them, believes in them, and helps them see their potential.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable lessons started as a hands-on activity where students made recycled paper while learning procedural writing. What made it special was the initiative the students took. A couple of them wanted to film the process, so they planned, recorded, and edited a video of the steps and submitted it to DigiFair, where it won a prize. Seeing students take ownership of their learning because they were genuinely interested was incredibly rewarding.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won $25,000 for my campus, I would use it to create meaningful experiences for students across the school. While my STEM lab is well supplied, I would organize educational field trips that expose students to places and opportunities they might not otherwise experience. I want students to see, explore, and connect learning to the real world, because some of the most powerful moments in education happen when students experience something new and inspiring.