Tell us why you became a teacher

I came to this country as a Spanish speaker and entered an English-driven school system feeling lost and unsure of myself. I struggled academically and needed extra support, but I was blessed with teachers, especially my special education teachers, who never gave up on me. They saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. I became a teacher to return that gift. I want my students to feel seen, capable, and supported the way I was.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I began as a special education aide while in college. I later stepped into a substitute role in a class that had driven several teachers away, and just two weeks later I was offered a full time teaching position to make that challenging class my own. I walked into what many considered one of the toughest group in the school. They tested me, but I stayed. By the end of the year, my hardest challenge became my most rewarding experience. We grew into a family, and I knew this was where I belonged.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If awarded $25,000, I would take the first steps toward opening my own school. My goal is to create a space for students who struggle in traditional classrooms but do not need a self contained setting, the students in the gray area who often fall through the cracks. I want to build a school that bridges that gap through structure, individualized support, inclusion, and strong family collaboration.