Tell us why you became a teacher

Graduating undergrad, I, like many people, had no direction and no idea what to use my new degree for. After realizing that getting my doctorate wasn’t in the cards, for me, I began the dreaded job search. Immediately, I came upon a Teach for America job listing. Fond memories of inspiring educators from my past flooded in, and I knew I had to give it a shot. Fast forward a few months later, and I was in the classroom, making the impact that I always dreamed I would have on the future generation

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my students, out of the blue, wrote me a letter. I teach fourth graders and at times in my first year I felt completely out of my depth. However, this sweet little girl wrote her heart out, telling me that she loves me, my voice, and that my class “feels like heaven”. The voice part hit me particularly hard, because it used to be one of my biggest insecurities. It was actually exacerbated my one of my own past teachers, who had made a mean comment. It was a real full circle moment.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With 25k, I would truly get to start my adult life. At only 23, I am still not entirely financially independent, although I am working towards it every day. I live in a studio apartment with my cat, and while it’s nice for now, I want to start the foundations for the rest of my life. I would use the prize money to get a down payment on a home for my partner and I (and of course our fur baby). This would give me a sense of independence and stability I’ve never experienced before.