Tell us why you became a teacher

I decided in 4th grade that I wanted to become a teacher. I loved learning and was endlessly curious about the world around me. That curiosity never left me. Today, my greatest hope is to bring that same sense of wonder into my classroom. I want my students to ask questions, explore boldly, and see how magical the world truly is. Teaching isn’t just about sharing information—it’s about sparking curiosity, nurturing imagination, and helping students discover the joy of learning.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I think my most memorable moment was when I got my first letter from a former student who graduated high school. This student did struggle in 4th grade with his attention and that whole year was a hard one for me. One of those years where you think, what else can I do? But this kid wrote me years later and said “you were the only teacher who treated me like a student and not a responsibility.” That made me realize how all that I tried and did made an impact. I think of that everyday.

What would you do with the $25,000?

What an amazing blessing it would be! I have some student debt that I would like to pay off. Then I would love to take my family to Australia. My kids have never seen past our own country and my son and daughter would absolutely love it! Lots of fun and learning together as a family.