Tell us why you became a teacher

I love teaching because I get a front-row seat to that moment when a child realizes, “I can do this,” and their whole face changes—suddenly they see themselves as capable, and there is nothing more rewarding than that. The classroom becomes a place where their joy, curiosity, and new confidence are the fuel that keeps me coming back every day. Teaching has always been in my heart, even though it’s my second career, and that history shapes how I show up for kids. Going back to college at 44 to be

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable teaching moments came from a student who was a little rough around the edges in sixth grade, the year I taught STEM. She often came in with an attitude, and it would have been easy to lower expectations or just try to get through the year. Instead, I held the line, pushed her, and refused to accept less than what I knew she was capable of. Years later, she reached out to tell me she had been accepted to a college in Florida to study nursing. She thanked me specifically f

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest into another degree to learn more about AI for school, even a reading specialist degree. Supplies. Even a scholarship at my current school for a graduating 8th grade student. Lots of possibilities!