Tell us why you became a teacher

Ever since I was young, I have been drawn to working with children. I became a teacher because I love helping students grow in confidence and self-esteem. Watching a child believe in themselves and discover their strengths is incredibly rewarding. As a PE teacher, I also enjoy teaching lifelong healthy habits and showing students that movement, teamwork, and perseverance can be fun. My goal is to encourage every child to feel valued, capable, and confident in who they are.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable teaching experiences is teaching my K–5th grade students how to roller skate. On the first day, many of the students are nervous and unable to skate. By the end of the two weeks, they are skating with confidence and excitement. Watching their perseverance turn into success and seeing their confidence grow is incredibly rewarding and reminds me why I love teaching.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I received $25,000, I would first take my family on a vacation since we haven’t been able to travel together in several years. Making those memories would mean so much to us. With the remaining money, I would buy tennis shoes for my students so they can safely participate in PE. Many students come without proper shoes, and I want every child to feel safe, included, and confident during class.