Gary Newman

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I find working with students to be very life giving. Each day is a new day, and the students bring an excitement to the learning environment through discussion, projects and interactions with me and their peers. It is never a dull moment as a high school teacher, and I count my self blessed beyond measure to be a teacher.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable moment came last year. I had a student who did not like school. I encouraged him to take school one week at a time. Then one day we talked about his future and what he wanted to do. I work in a all-Latino school, and I know future educational choices have challenges like location, funding, and so on. I encouraged him to check out schools that could get him right into what he wanted to do for a living. A month later he found one and became inspired and turned his grades around!

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I was awarded $25,000 I would give back to the school where I am a teacher. This school works with lower socio-economically challenged students and is dedicated to getting them into college so they can have a better future. I would want the money to plants seeds of hope for my students so they could succeed and be happy in their life!