Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because, in high school, I had the absolute best English teacher, Ms. Shever. She made literature come alive and made every student feel seen and valued. Her classroom was safe, encouraging, and inspiring. She believed in me before I fully believed in myself. Because of her, I wanted to create that same kind of space for students and make a lasting difference in their lives.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable teaching experiences as an emotional support teacher was seeing a student who struggled with behavior and trust begin to believe in himself. After months of building routines and relationships, he completed an assignment independently and proudly said, “I did this by myself.” That moment wasn’t just academic growth it was confidence and resilience. It reminded me that emotional safety is the foundation for learning.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I received the $25,000, I would support my family to create stability and peace of mind. I would also give back to my classroom by adding more educational resources, technology, and hands-on materials to better support my students’ learning and emotional growth. Investing in my family and my classroom means investing in the future, both at home and in the lives of the students I serve.