Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

After pursuing an opportunity in journalism, I realized my true calling was to work with kids and make an impact—one student, one lesson, one day at a time.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

It’s hard to choose just one, but in my first year my classroom was called “The Greatness Room,” where our goal was a 90 percent pass rate. On a campus assessment, exactly 90 percent passed. People cried, and I was told parents kept their children at the school because it proved what was possible. We were a PEG campus, meaning families could transfer elsewhere. The following year, our school moved from one of the lowest-performing in the district to one of the highest-performing.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest in my classroom to expand access to high-quality literacy tools, technology, and enrichment experiences. I’d also create resources and mentorship opportunities to support former students beyond the Phenomenal Room, ensuring they continue to grow academically and personally long after they leave my class.