Gabriela Wiseman

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I love kids. Kindergarteners come in a little unsure, some of them never having been in school before, and by the end of the year they’ve grown so much — academically, socially, and emotional to watch that growth up close is pretty amazing. I love being the person who helps make their first school experience a happy one. In Kindergarten, we’re not just teaching letters and numbers — we’re teaching how to be a friend, how to solve problems, how to perservere.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable teaching experiences was hearing a student read independently for the very first time. I can still picture the moment — the pause, the concentration, and then the realization on their face that they were actually doing it. Watching their joy and excitement was unforgettable. You could almost see the spark — that shift from “This is hard” to “I can do this!”

What would you do with the $25,000?

Winning $25,000 would be truly amazing. Our district is under-resourced, and as teachers, we don’t earn very much, so it would make a meaningful difference for my family and my students. I would put a portion of the money toward my own children’s college funds to help support their futures. I would also donate $5,000 directly back to my school to help grow our site funds and provide additional resources and opportunities for our students.