Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I wanted a career that mattered every single day. I’ve always loved science, but I love teenagers more, and teaching lets me connect the two. Helping students see that they are thinkers, problem-solvers, and world-changers is the most meaningful work I can imagine.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One day a quiet student sent me a note that said, “The last time I felt genuinely good was after your fire lab.” I’ve never forgotten that. In a single sentence, they showed me that learning can spark joy, confidence, and wonder. It reminded me that the real power of teaching isn’t just explaining science, it’s lighting a fire in students that lasts long after the flames go out.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With the money, I would transform my classroom into a hands-on innovation lab: lab equipment, creative project supplies, flexible seating, and funding for student-designed investigations. I’d also launch a mini-grant program where students pitch solutions to real community problems, because the best investment isn’t in materials, it’s in student imagination.