Kelli Schmidt

Tell us why you became a teacher

I have wanted to be a teacher since 2nd grade. My 2nd grade teacher inspired me with his enthusiasm, compassion, and love of children. He made learning come to life and really inspired me to want to do the same for future generations. I have always loved working with kids and seeing the "aha!" moments on their faces, even before I pursued teaching as a career.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I do not have just one most memorable teaching experience. For me, there are a lot of little things that happen that build in my memory. Watching the kids really take ownership in their projects to demonstrate their understanding. Their smiles and enjoyment when they finally understand that challenging topic. The moments when I watch the students helping each other. The moments when you see the students applying what we learned when outside of class. These are the most memorable moments.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I had $25,000, I would first pay off my student loans. With the remaining money, I would split it. Some would go towards taking my family on a vacation, which we do not get to do too often. The other part would be going towards various supplies and equipment that may help make learning Middle School math a bit more enticing. I would like to have more project-based learning in my class, but that requires materials, which is not affordable at the moment.