Tell us why you became a teacher

My 5th grade teacher saw a spark in me that I didn’t see myself; my high school counselor saw it, too. Though I planned to be a pediatrician, I was steered towards the NC Teaching Fellows Scholarship. I earned a full ride and a B.S. in Biology. I intended to teach for four years before going to med school but realized teaching was my true calling. After 28 years in education, I remain dedicated to pouring into scholars & coaching teachers to become educational leaders & instructional architects.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable moments was with a student who entered my biology class convinced she “wasn’t a science person.” After weeks of struggle, we reached our genetics unit. During a Punnett square lab, the logic finally clicked. Her eyes widened, and she gasped, “I actually get it!” That shift from defeat to discovery is why I stayed in the classroom. Seeing her transition from a frustrated learner to a confident scholar reminded me that every student is an untapped architect.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I would expand my role as an instructional architect by removing barriers to student potential. I’d invest $12K in a high-tech Innovation Hub with biotech kits and digital modeling tools. I would use $8K to create a “Barriers-to-Entry” fund to cover student certification fees and competition travel. Finally, $5K would launch “Architects of Education” workshops to coach fellow teachers, ensuring this investment impacts scholars for years to come.