Kendra Knapp

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I love helping students discover that learning—especially science—can be exciting, creative, and meaningful. I enjoy designing hands-on experiences that make big ideas understandable and memorable. Most of all, I value the relationships built in the classroom and the chance to support students as they grow in confidence, curiosity, and independence.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable experiences is running into former students after they’ve graduated and hearing them say how much they loved my classes. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them as adults and know that the lessons, experiences, and relationships we built in the classroom truly stayed with them long after high school.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I could create hands-on science experiences that reach hundreds of students each year. The funds would support lab equipment, materials for interactive experiments and engineering projects, updated classroom technology, and opportunities for students to explore real-world science. This investment would help turn curiosity into discovery and give students meaningful learning experiences they will remember long after graduation.