Tell us why you became a teacher

I didn't initially know my true purpose in becoming a teacher at first. I knew I loved working with children and wanted to help brighten the lives of kids, but this desire wasn't fully bloomed right away. I started teaching in Brooklyn, NY and later pursued my Masters in Special Education. These experiences opened my eyes to the challenges that so many young people face and how high-quality education can truly unlock doors that shouldn't have been closed to them in the first place.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

As a special educator, I've had the honor of working with children who are minimally speaking and on the autism spectrum. One of my most memorable experiences occurred while teaching a student who had a common speech pattern called "echolalia." This speech often sounds like an "echo" of the words or phrases they've heard. After a few months of support , my student formed his first independent and appropriate response to my questions. It was thrilling to see his world expand!

What would you do with the $25,000?

Well, I do have tremendous student loan debt, so I'd love to say it would go towards this. But I think I'd rather use it to improve the sensory rooms in my district. Sensory rooms, or sensory gyms, provide a critical role in supporting all children to learn, grow, and regulate their emotions. These spaces tend to be tiny, underfunded, and often underappreciated for their value. $25,000 at my elementary school would provide some highly needed upgrades and additional materials for kids.