Tell us why you became a teacher

I played school as a little girl and loved it. As I was going to school I had some really fun, encouraging and intentional teachers. They set the example for what I wanted to do as a career.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Wow that's going to be hard. Before school starts in August I set up a surprise in home visit with each one of my students. This gives me an inside glimpse of their lives and sets the tone and it creates a quick bond for the first day of school. I get to teach Social Studies introducing the 7 continents, the oceans, people and animals that live in each one. A favorite is Antarctica. To culminate the unit the students pick their favorite penguin and dress up like it. We do a blubber experiment.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Wowie!!!!! This is such a fun thought. I'd make a donation. I'd pay off some debt. I'd like to take a family trip or an Alaskan cruise with my husband. We've had it on a bucket list for 30+ years.