Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I love to work with kids and get them excited about different aspects of the universe. I love explaining how things work in a way that makes sense to students, and creating an environment where they feel safe to learn and make mistakes, and where they're excited to come to class everyday. Seeing that lightbulb moment when a student finally understands a concept they've been struggling with literally makes my day. I love seeing them succeed.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable moments come from building strong relationships with students in class. I had one student who really struggled in school. She struggled to respect authority and get things done when she felt forced to do them. Over the school year, I was able to build a relationship where she felt safe in class. She was able to ask questions instead of getting frustrated, and felt like there was someone on her side. She passed the year finally understanding things she struggled with for years.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I've always wanted to completely deck out my classroom. I'd love alternate seating choices, a cabinet full of resources to run science experiments in class, and a way to make the classroom feel even more comfortable for the students. I'd love to be able to donate some of it to my school too. We often struggle with funding for different school activities, and it'd be great to be able to sponsor something for the school from the winnings.