Dana Peveler

Tell us why you became a teacher

After advocating for folks 60 and over for 30 years, I switched careers. I enjoyed subbing for 8 years while we moved with the Army when our children were young, so I went back to that. My love for learning and teaching reignited. I became a full time teaching assistant. People I admire encouraged me to get my license. I thought I was too old, honestly, but decided to throw fear of my age out the window - and I'm so glad I did!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

It had been a particularly hard day. I'd had to send a student to the office for behavior, and I always hate when I have to do that. I was wondering if I was making a difference at all, wondering if I was getting anything right ... then two students interrupted class to bring me something they'd made. It was a "love mug." Coming out of the rim of the mug were heart bubbles with hand-written comments of what they liked about my class and the difference I'd made for them.

What would you do with the $25,000?

1. I would donate some to our Business Professionals of America Chapter at school so that our students could attend Regional, State, and National Conferences without worrying about whether fundraising was going to generate enough. 2. I would use some to purchase classroom supplies. 3. Expand a program for students to work with senior adults at our local senior center. 4. 25th anniversary vacation with my husband, our kids, and grandkids.