Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I believe that language is not just a tool for communication, but a bridge to culture, identity, and empowerment. Being bilingual in Spanish and English is a gift, and I wanted to help children unlock that same superpower in themselves. I indeed, teach to help my students understand that they don't have to choose between languages—they can embrace both, becoming stronger, more empathetic thinkers in the process.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of the most memorable moments of my teaching career was with a fourth grader. The "Aha" Moment happened during a social studies unit on Native Americans. Josias was failing all the written quizzes. Yet, when I sat down with him to discuss why he thought his food chain diagram was incorrect, he articulated the complex relationship between producers, consumers, and decomposers with the insight of a seasoned archaeologist and anthropologist. He understands the concept and was fascinated by it!

What would you do with the $25,000?

Our school serves a growing population of bilingual students and families, yet many staff members lack the specific tools to navigate cultural nuances, linguistic challenges, and socioeconomic sensitivities. As a bilingual educator, I have observed that unintentional bias and a lack of cultural competence directly impact student engagement, trust, and academic success. This project aims to bridge the gap between intent and impact. The $25,000 grant will be used to develop and implement training.