Heather Dilworth

Tell us why you became a teacher

I have always wanted to be a teacher-I was inspired by many great teachers in my life. I always could see how hard teachers worked at building relationships, and creating meaningful experiences in their classroom. My fifth grade teacher had poker chips we would get/give depending on our choices and at the end of the year we had an auction for items-I adapted this concept for fourth grade and called them Dilworth Dollars and students would get/give and could "spend" once a month.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Year ago I had a third grade teacher tell me to brace myself for a student that was going to be placed in my room. I had seen this student around the building before but didnt know him well. He came to my classroom in fourth grade and was so smart but had never been understood. He had a busy body that would always get him in trouble-I allowed him to do his math while laying on his belly and swirling around in a stool. He always got his work done, was a precious boy and scored advanced that year.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Our family has four kids-one of which is a new driver this year. This money would go toward the added expenses of a new driver, home improvements, and a much needed family vacation for the six of us.