Tell us why you became a teacher

When I was in 4th grade, I had a very negative experience. I even walked to the principal’s office and told him the teacher was yelling at us. It did not go well. I was sent right back to the room. That day, I promised myself that if I ever became a teacher, my students would never feel scared in my classroom. To this day, I believe I have honored that promise by making sure my students feel safe, supported, and able to have the BEST year possible!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

If I HAD to choose one (which is very hard after almost 30 years!), I would remember a student who I was told would be a very challenging first grader before he entered my class. He wore headphones whenever loud noises occurred, especially during fire drills. After only a few of these events, he felt comfortable enough to leave the headphones off. Watching his confidence grow throughout the year was incredibly rewarding, and I am VERY proud of him! Today, he is a successful high school Senior!

What would you do with the $25,000?

As I prepare to retire in just over a year, I keep thinking about how meaningful it would be to give back to the school where I teach. Over the years, I have worked with many incredible teachers, but one stands out. She was an amazing role model, and I learned a ton from her! On her final day, she donated beautiful, unique new furniture to our Learning Center library. I would love the chance to leave a gift like that for our school community (& maybe enjoy a delicious sushi dinner, my favorite!)