Tell us why you became a teacher

I took a job as a hydro-geologist after college and quickly realized that I wanted something more. I started to coach girls' field hockey and lacrosse on the side and knew immediately that I wanted to go into teaching. I found myself working more and more with the students who struggled in school. Math and science are subjects that often generate the question, "why do I need to know this?" I focus on making lessons that connect to the students' lives so they understand its importance.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My Algebra 2 class was learning how to "complete the square," a technique that requires multiple steps. Students were frustrated, swearing, and even claiming that they were disassociating. I slowly and gently walked them through more examples. Then, I played a song by Lil Jon with the lyrics, "Snap ya fingers, do ya step.You can do it all by yo'self, let me see you do it (ay)." The song cut the tension in the class, and in the end, every student passed the quiz on completing the square!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I'd like to give all of our struggling students the opportunity to reach higher levels of math, such as trigonometry and calculus. The $25,000 would allow me to research best practices and reach out to experts to work on this problem. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be successful in math because that is where the future lies. I must admit, I'd also use some of that money to pay off my own children's college loans.