Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher to give children something many take for granted—a voice. As a K–12 speech teacher, I work with students who struggle to express the thoughts and feelings inside them. The moment a child finally says a sound, shares an idea, or finds the confidence to speak up is life-changing. In the low-income community I serve, those moments mean everything. I’m grateful to build relationships that remind my students they matter, their words matter, and their voices deserve to be heard.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

A student once came to me unable to speak in class. Fear kept him silent, he hid behind me when others approached and was falling behind. For three years we have worked together, building trust and finding his voice. Today he’s confident, on grade level, full of laughter, and eager to share his ideas. Watching him transform from invisible to unstoppable reminds me why I teach: giving a child their voice can change the world one word at a time.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use $25,000 to give my students the tools and experiences to find their voices and ignite curiosity. I’d bring science, speech, and communication to life, helping kids discover the joy of learning, explore boldly, and realize that their ideas can change the world. Watching them grow confident, curious, and unstoppable would be the greatest reward of all. I also recently bought a house by myself and would use the money to fix the never ending issues.