Tell us why you became a teacher

Teaching is in my blood. There are so many wonderful family members who were teachers who influenced me and helped me become the teacher I am today. My grandmother was an art teacher, my mom was an early childhood teacher and media specialist/librarian and countless aunts. I always struggled as a student in early childhood grades, especially with math. So as a teacher, I'm humbled by my students and I strive to meet their learning styles each and every day.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Going all the way back to my very first year teaching in the South Bronx, in 1998, I had a 5th grade student who struggled academically and social emotionally. She challenged every adult she came in contact with, until she met me. I set up my class library with a very special chair that belonged to my grandma who had passed away. This student felt so comfortable in this chair that she decided to let me teach her to read. By the end of year, she read Thank You, Mr. Falker and I cried tears of joy

What would you do with the $25,000?

Being nominated as Teacher of the Year was an honor, but thinking of winning $25,000 is a dream come true. I would use that money to purchase class libraries with flexible seating. I would also purchase technology for every student, a charging station for the classroom laptops, and new furniture. Many of my students never have the opportunity to travel so I would plan to take all 350 students in my school on an all paid field trip to the Bronx Zoo to see animals in their natural habitat.