Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I have a plaque that jokes I became a teacher for the money and the fame, but it's for really much more. I started out aiming for law or politics and quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I walked away to reset my life tutoring in Italy. That’s when I realized what fills my heart: history, learning, and working with kids. I love seeing understanding spark and confidence grow. Teaching lets me be part of a child’s learning journey and that’s worth everything, even more so than money and fame.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

This year, during our mock Salem Witch Trials, I was quietly having a hard week and worried I wasn’t giving my best. As students left, I overheard them telling a younger student how fun class was and how much they loved learning with me. They didn’t know I was listening. In that moment, I realized that even on our hardest days, teachers can still make students feel safe, inspired, and seen, and what we do truly matters.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would first pay off my student loans so I could breathe a little easier. Then I would invest in becoming a better teacher by learning history through experiences I can bring back to my classroom. Experiencing history firsthand helps me bring it to life for students, whether through travel, research, or new classroom resources. Most importantly, it would relieve stress and allow me to show up fully for my students, which is something every teacher deserves.