Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I love seeing students have their 'ah-ha' moments when they understand and get the content in their heads! Those moments make my heart swell! I also love to have conversations with students where I can encourage them to become the best they can be.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

During my first year as a teacher, I remember having to work with a student who was having trouble regulating his feelings. I had a 10 minute conversation with him about how I could see him becoming something amazing like.the next Barack Obama because he possessed such leadership qualities. To see his face light up and watch him really take in what I was saying, made me feel like I could really make a difference in his life.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would take the $25000 and give some of it back to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh where my daughter is receiving treatment for cancer. I would also like to surprise my school staff with something because this year they really stood beside me and my family when my daughter was diagnosed and I want to repay them for their kindness and generosity. And finally I would like to put some into redoing my kitchen in my house.