Tell us why you became a teacher

I started tutoring during hight school to pay for my expenses. My dad was without a job and welcoming my younger brother. After I graduated I did not knew what to do in college. After jumping around I end up taking an opportunity teaching PE. Long story short, I end up finishing my bachelor degree and masters in Educational Psychology and teaching middle school math. When I took the opportunity I realized how rewarding and easy was for me to teach. I had good mentors.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I'm also a musician. Playing one time on a restaurant I get a note saying: "You are our best teacher!" I finished the song that I was playing and look up and there were the a group of students that were my first 5th grade homeroom. All of them professionals, with families. Seeing students succeed in life, with family, and good citizens; I was very proud. We laughed remembering all those times together. They ended up thanking me for all those experiences and teachings.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I will probably donate some of it for materials for the school that I'm working in. We need basic materials like paper, pencils, classroom basics and other important things. Also I will put a down payment for buying a home. I'm from Puerto Rico, father of boy twins and a girl and have been living in Davenport, Florida for almost 4 years. We are renting right now and we need a good home.