Kelsi Torres

Tell us why you became a teacher

I believe every child can shine when given the right tools, encouragement, and a little extra love. Each student is wonderfully unique, and I strive to create a warm, welcoming classroom where they feel safe, valued, and confident. Through strong relationships, high expectations, and flexible learning, I hope to spark a joy for learning and help every child grow into their very best self. I truly believe that one person can make a difference in a child’s life and I want to be that one person.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

There are so many memorable moments that I can pick from when I think about these past few years as a teacher. Some memories can stem from hard moments but many moments are from the good. I remember when I was saying goodbye to my first class. The strings that pulled at my heart as I read to them, “A Letter From Your Teacher on the Last Day of School”. I could see each little face that started the year, to the faces that sat in front of me that grew through the year and it was so special.

What would you do with the $25,000?

There are four things that I can think of how I would spend the money. The first one is that I would save half. Second, I would put some money away for my son’s education. Third, I would use a lot of the money to benefit my students because I love to buy items to enhance their learning. Fourth, I would love to use some to go back to school and earn a masters in education to further my knowledge to benefit more students.