Tell us why you became a teacher

I was inspired by my parents, who were educators, and also by my own love of school. I had teachers I looked up to, and I knew I wanted to be that same source of support and inspiration for my future students. While this profession requires a great deal of dedication and hard work, building meaningful relationships and showing students that you genuinely care makes all the difference. I’ve always valued being involved, so I strive to help my students become involved in their school community.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

It’s hard to choose just one memorable moment, but the greatest “teacher win” is seeing my students grow. I work primarily with struggling readers in intervention and Tier 3 programs, and many of them don’t often feel successful. Watching them recognize their own progress and begin to feel confident in their abilities is when I feel most proud. Those moments are not only memorable — they are my why.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won the $25,000, I would use part of it to offset personal expenses I’ve had to put off while working in a low-paying district, as well as necessary home updates and renovations. This would allow me to continue giving my best to my students without financial strain. I would also donate a portion to Minding Your Mind, a non-profit organization close to my heart that supports vital student mental health programs throughout the county.