Tell us why you became a teacher

I didn’t become a teacher, I always naturally was one. I’ve always worked with children, noticing what they need beneath their behavior. My own experiences taught me how powerful consistency and safety are, and how harmful it is when they’re missing. I teach because I want to be the adult who notices, stays, and believes kids are more than their hardest moments.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching moment wasn’t in a classroom. After a student attempted to hurt themselves, they asked for me at the hospital. In that heartbreaking space, I realized I wasn’t just their teacher; I was their safe person. It showed me that teaching isn’t only about academics; it’s about being someone a child trusts when everything feels too heavy to carry alone.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I were awarded $25,000, it would mean freedom. My father left me with financial damage before adulthood. I took on student loans to build a safe future. This award would help lower my debt and move toward owning a home, giving me stability and peace so I can support my students’ needs without carrying constant financial stress.