Jamarra Mota

Tell us why you became a teacher

It was truly a work of God. I can vividly remember lining up my toys and teddy bears to teach them school lessons while I was in elementary school, as well as providing English tutoring to my neighbors when I was in middle school. My answer to this question is that I did not choose to become a teacher. It was not my initial life goal, but the profession chose me, and it was the perfect fit. When I began working as an educator, it felt like something came alive in me—like turning on a dream car

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience took place during the 2024–2025 school year. I had a class with a diverse mixture of students, including some with exceptionalities. However, the majority of my learners, including the English language learners, left the year with significant learning gains and the ability to speak English fluently. The kindergarten teacher often tells me how much my former students are excelling in her class and how frequently they speak about me. That makes me very happy.

What would you do with the $25,000?

"I'm putting money toward roof repairs, a new car, and clearing my credit card debt. I also need to save a 'safety net' for my upcoming leg surgery; I’ve exhausted my PTO due to an infection from a previous procedure, so having money on the side is essential for my recovery period." I wanted to push the surgery for the summer but symptoms are getting more severe