Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I wanted to make a lasting difference in the lives of young people. Growing up, I saw how powerful education could be when teachers truly cared about their students’ success. As a science teacher, I enjoy helping students understand how the world works and connecting classroom lessons to real-life experiences. Teaching allows me to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and encourage students to believe that they can achieve more than they ever imagined.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable teaching experiences was watching a student who once struggled with confidence in science take the lead during a lab investigation. At the beginning of the year, the student doubted his ability to understand the material. Over time, through hands-on experiments and encouragement, he began asking deeper questions and guiding his group through the process. By the end of the lesson, he could explain the results to the entire class. He went from hating the class to loving it

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest in expanding hands-on STEM opportunities for my students. It would allow us to purchase modern lab equipment, interactive technology, and materials for engaging science investigations. I would also develop project-based learning experiences where students solve real-world problems related to energy, engineering, and environmental science. My goal is to create a classroom environment where every student has access to meaningful, interactive learning that prepares them for the futu