Tell us why you became a teacher

As a kid I really struggled in school. I struggled academically and socially all through elementary school to high school. I didn’t want to continue with anything. My junior year I had a teacher that changed my life. They showed me how to be a better person and student. That feeling was the best feeling in the world. After that I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to give the same love and support to kids as I did and show them that being different is okay and should be celebrated.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was when I teaching during the pandemic. I had a student who was really struggling in writing and not being able to socialize with other kids. We had office hours that would be for extra help. The student would go online and attend my office hours but just wanted to talk. We would chat and then he would draw pictures and show me. He created an entire story through pictures but he didn’t know how to write. So I would help him write a story from his pictures.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I really want to help my family out. They are the ones who have supported me and allowed me to do what I truly love to do. I wan to treat them to a vacation that they truly deserve because without them; I would be the amazing teacher that I am.