Tell us why you became a teacher

I’ve known since I was 8 years old I wanted to become a teacher. My senior year of high school, I changed my mind and decided to pursue a career in Nursing. The classes were difficult and the competition to get into the program was crazy. I decided to go into Education. My major at Central Michigan University was K-8 education with an emphasis in Science and a minor in history. I focused on middle school science based on my 7th grade science teacher, Mrs. Lowenbach.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I had the opportunity to complete my student teaching in Perth, Australia in 2001. It was enlightening to not only see another country, but how their education system works. But also tied for first, was a three day field trip to the Everglades National Park, camping in tents with 6th graders who were apart of my 1st year of teaching in SW Florida.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would put a down payment on a house here in SW FLorida. I have been divorced for over 8 years and also raising my 2 boys on a teacher salary. We have been renting because I do not have the extra money to purchase a house.