Jeremy Young

In third grade we had an assignment to write a poem about different parts of the school. At that time I was in the mindset of just fitting in and going with the crowd. I decided to just go with my gut and actually wrote what I felt. I certainly did not think at the time that my writing was exceptional, but my teacher told my mom that it was like reading a best-seller. It made me feel special and tremendously boosted my self esteem. I want to be able to share that same feeling with students.

Teaching a unit about the challenges of the Silk Road, I taught a lesson where students would form a "caravan" and make decisions on what to buy and sell and where to travel to, while rolling dice to see if they caught the black plague or learned a teaching about Confucius. A fellow caravan took it upon themselves to give up all their money and goods to help a non- verbal student with autism travel past the "Himalayas", it was so inspiring!

With an enormous amount of money like $25,000 (half a year's salary) I would definitely spoil my family with a historical trip to Greece and Egypt! And of course pay off chunk of student loans so we can finally buy a house!