Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher to be the person I needed when I was a kid. I stepped into this role to make sure no student of mine ever feels that they don't belong. I want to disrupt the systems that try to "sort" children and instead create a sanctuary for our children. For me, it’s about turning school from a place of compliance into a safe haven where every student finally finds their own power.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

It was the last day of my first year as a teacher. As I sat there reading A Letter from Your Teacher on the Last Day of School to my class, my voice just completely cracked. I looked up and saw my second graders were already crying with me, and in that moment, all the professional boundaries just melted away. We weren’t just a teacher and students anymore; we were a family. I remember thinking it’d get easier to say goodbye as I got more experience, but I was so wrong.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use a big chunk of that money to bridge the gap between school and home by funding workshops for my students and their families to help create a space where we can foster our community. I would also love to give back to my dad and my grandpa. They were the ones who sacrificed so much to support my education and get me where I am today, and being able to honor that debt of gratitude would mean the world to me.