Tell us why you became a teacher

I have 10 years of experience working as a school nurse, which I absolutely loved. After going through a difficult divorce, I was looking for a position that was still rewarding, allowed me to continue helping students, but also provided a schedule that accommodated my children and offered a bit more financial stability. Teaching felt like the perfect way to stay in the school environment, support students in a different capacity, and still be available to my children as a newly single mother.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Although I am a newer educator, it has been incredibly rewarding to see my former students still reach out to me and ask about myself and my children. It’s also very fulfilling to watch students finally grasp new concepts, gain confidence in the classroom, and carry that confidence into other areas of their lives.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I were chosen for this award, I would use part of it to add new decor and teaching resources to my classroom, creating a more engaging learning environment for my students. I would also put some toward paying off debt I accumulated during student teaching and toward my student loans. In the future, I hope to pursue a master’s degree, but I want to focus on paying down my student loans first.