Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher to be the steady support some children may never have beyond school walls. I was raised with love and encouragement, and I see how many students come to school needing the same care. In my classroom, children are safe, valued, and truly seen. I teach not only to grow minds, but to lift hearts, because when a child feels loved and believed in, they discover the confidence to succeed and the courage to dream.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

After 27 years of teaching and working with kindergarten, I have countless special memories, but one will stay with me forever. In the spring of 2024, I received a call about a former student in 5th grade now that needed removed from her home. When asked who she would feel safe with, she said my name. DCS called and I welcomed her into my home for six months. That moment reminded me that teaching is not just about lessons-it is about being someone a child can trust when it matters most.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I were honored to receive the $25,000 award, I would use it to continue investing in children, which has always been my life’s purpose. I would expand my classroom store and provide supplies, books, and meaningful incentives that help my students feel confident and excited to learn. I would also use a portion of to support my growing family as I prepare for my upcoming marriage and becoming a first-time Mimi. Supporting children—at school and at home—is the heart of who I am.