Tell us why you became a teacher

Inspired by family members who were educators and my own former teachers, I felt called to help others grow and learn. I strive to create a safe, joyful space where children love their first school experience and feel valued long after they leave my classroom. As an extroverted, multilingual teacher, I build meaningful connections and lasting relationships with my students and their families.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

In my classroom, I teach academics through play and soft skills like giving grace. At the start of the year, I read Beautiful Oops! to show that mistakes are opportunities. Months later, a mom told me her son comforted her after she spilled drinks by saying, “It’s okay, Mom. That was your beautiful oops.” In that moment, our classroom lesson became real life.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I win the $25,000, I would revamp my classroom’s Discovery Center with durable, hands-on materials to deepen exploration and learning. I would also help stock our STEM lab, supporting our incredible STEM teacher as she serves 800 students. The remaining funds would go toward my family’s savings, as we raise a child with special needs and identical twin toddlers.