Kathryn Wright

Tell us why you became a teacher

Becoming a teacher means championing the belief that education is the great equalizer. I believe learning never stops, and I’m passionate about guiding that journey for my students. My desire to work with children began in social work, but I found an even greater daily impact in education. In the classroom, I motivate students to think long term, believe in their potential, and see their future as full of possibility.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

In my first year teaching, I followed my team leader’s lessons to learn from her experience, but they didn’t feel like me. My co-teacher and I soon created our own argumentative unit with speeches, writing, and debates. Our diverse English 10 class thrived on collaboration and creativity. I’ll never forget Daniel, who had struggled all year, confidently winning a debate. His classmates cheered him on and as he left the class, he left with his head held high!

What would you do with the $25,000?

If awarded $25,000, I would invest a portion into launching the PBIS Power Arcade, an expansion of our school’s PBIS program. The arcade would give students a safe, fun space to connect, trade earned points for game time, and practice being respectful and responsible while simply being kids. Creating belonging matters. The remaining funds would help pay down the student loans I’ve taken on to pursue my career in education.