I became a teacher to create an outlet and a space where students can feel safe being their authentic selves, but also learning about how powerful music is and how it can change their perspective, their mental health, and their ability to be anyone that they put their mind to be!

My most memorable teaching experience was my first year at a school without a choir. We performed for a parent night during Hispanic Heritage Month, singing “À la nanita Nana.” After finishing, I lead them off stage, and they joyfully ran into a classroom, screaming with excitement over their performance. Since then, creating music with them was a rewarding journey.

If I’m being completely honest, $25,000 will undoubtedly restore me to a state of financial stability, not only in my personal life but also for my current students who I teach. I’ll definitely donate a generous amount of it to the Fine Arts program so that we can continue to develop and Blossom into a beautiful and transformative program.