Tell us why you became a teacher

I’ve had other good jobs, but teacher always was there and drew me back several times towards my calling. I have a heart for kids, I had three of my own. My youngest son has Dyslexia, the older son had Speech Therapy in grade school. So I appreciate Public School Therapist’ who work so hard and help so many every year! One of my brothers had a Sped teacher or Aide tell him back in the 70’s he was Stupid and scared him emotionally pretty bad. Students deserve better.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

A few years ago I was a resource teacher at an elementary public school and one of my students in 4th grade came twice a day every day and stuck to my lead. That spring he passed a Staar test, math or reading-I’ll never forget how happy he was and how confident it made him feel…& his success continued.

What would you do with the $25,000?

It took me 6 years to get my BA and another one to get my certification and then my district made me resign for failing one of 6 tests, so I need help paying my student loans off…& finally to help buy our first house.