Hillary Clifft

Tell us why you became a teacher

I was at a transitional place with my career. I owned a business for 4 years and had newly found out that I was expecting twins. We sold my business but my love for the industry was not extinguished. Shortly after, a Marketing Instructor position came open at our local High School Technical Center. With a minor in Marketing and a love for business and entrepreneurship, I applied. Fast forward two years, I can't imagine that I was ever made to do anything else.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was this current school year. We had a new foreign exchange student. She was very unhappy with her host family and was thousands of miles from home. She stated the "American Dream" was becoming her "American Nightmare". With no help from her agency, I worked tirelessly to see that we found a better suited host family for her. We got her placed with my preacher, she is so happy and is requesting to stay a second year.

What would you do with the $25,000?

There are so many things that are needed for my class/school. We are a Marketing class, so we could really use new equipment to produce professional advertising components, as we partner with several local businesses for this. I would see that my students were affected by this regardless of the nature. We live in an 'at-risk' community, so their needs are so great. If the funds were used personally, I would work on continuing education to receive my doctorate.