Tell us why you became a teacher

I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. That dream grew stronger because of my grandmother. She taught for over forty-four years and truly saw teaching as her calling. She is still currently working in the education field. We often ran into former students who shared how much she had impacted their lives. Some even paid for our meals to thank her. From her, I learned that teaching is about more than lessons—it is about relationships, impact, and making students feel valued.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

During a recent parent-teacher conference, a student’s mother became emotional, sharing that her child now loves coming to school. She repeatedly thanked me for his progress and said she believed it was because of the support in our classroom. Hearing that meant so much and reminded me why I teach. I pour love, patience, and care into each student, meeting them where they are and celebrating their growth. Hearing this helped reassured me that I am truly making a difference.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Special Education. If given the opportunity, I would use $20,000 to significantly reduce my student loan debt, allowing me to focus more fully on my professional goals and long-term impact in the field of education. I would also dedicate $5,000 to taking my grandmother on the trip of her dreams as a way to thank her for the unwavering support, guidance, and inspiration she has given me.