Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because school was the first place I felt truly seen and supported, and I knew there were other students who needed that same belief in themselves. Teaching allows me to build meaningful relationships, create a safe space for growth, and help students discover strengths they didn’t know they had. Every day I step into my classroom with hope, knowing that even the smallest moments of encouragement and challenge can change the trajectory of a child’s life.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

When I was assigned to a remote island school with no electricity or signal, I did my best to mold young minds with hope as my greatest resource, and I once had a student whose frequent absences I mistakenly thought were due to laziness. I later learned he was fishing to help his family survive, reminding me that as teachers, we must understand the deeper reasons behind our students’ struggles before we judge them.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I will bless to win the $25,000 from America’s Favorite Teacher, I would invest in a high-quality 3D printer and STEM materials so my elementary students can turn their designs into tangible projects, allowing them to truly experience engineering, problem-solving, and creativity in action. Hands-on learning is powerful at this age, and giving my students the opportunity to design, print, test, and improve their own creations would build confidence, perseverance, and real-world STEM skills.