Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I love to see children learn new things. I feel that by my engaging with students and showing them what an education has to offer them that I am helping to shape our future.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I had a group of students for four years from 5th grade through 8th grade. I loved watching them grow and when it was time for them to go to the high school I knew that I was going to miss them but that I had given them the skills they needed to succeed. I made a promise that if they graduated I would be there. Well they all did and the expressions on their faces when they saw me made my entire teaching career so worth it. They ran to me and hugged me and thanked me for believing in them.

What would you do with the $25,000?

When I retire my dream is to take a trip to Italy. I have been teaching 6th graders about it for the last 15 years I would also take some of that money and buy some new standing desk for my classroom as well as some new books.