Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I was called by God to teach. It's all I've ever wanted to do. Growing up, my twin brother couldn't read so I wanted to become a reading teacher in order to help others like him, learn how to read. Another reason I became a teacher was because I was bullied in elementary and middle school and thanks to my teachers and principals in those schools, I felt safe and heard. I vowed to be the same kind of teachers for others who needed to feel safe and heard at school.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memborable teaching experience was when I was a kindergarten teacher. I had a student who had behavior issues and loved to disrupt class and get into trouble. When I sat the student down and had a heart to heart with him I asked him why he was behaving the way he was and with the biggest kindergarten smile he said it was because if he acted up in class and was bad enough he'd have to stay in kindergarten another year and he never wanted to leave me.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would take all of my students out on a date with their teacher. We'd all dress up, get a limosine and take them to a nice restaurant to have and enjoy a memorable experience with their teacher. I'd also help the homeless in our community by prepare a meal for the them and serving it to them along with passing out "treat bags" with toiletry items in an effort to show them that they are important too and that someone loves them. The rest would be to help others in need.