Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher simply to help others and because of my love for kids. Watching a student have a lightbulb moment after struggling to grasp a concept is the best feeling. But being a teacher goes beyond the classroom walls on a daily basis. Being a teacher means phone calls to check on a student that got sick during the day, trips to watch soccer games or wrestling matches to surprise students and late nights worrying about a child that confided in you about his mom being really sick.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I have had many memorable moments as a 24 year veteran teacher. I’d say, though, that my most memorable experiences are when former students come back to visit or when they find me on social media as adults and remind me why I became a teacher in the first place. Being a core memory for someone even in their adult life is the biggest compliment there is as a teacher.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use some of it in my school to update things that need a facelift. I’d also use it to pay off some of my own bills. A teaching job is so very rewarding, however, many of us have side hustles and second jobs just to make ends meet and to support our families.