Tell us why you became a teacher

I grew up with two cousins who had disabilities. I remember how much joy it gave me to see them accomplish their goals. Advocating for them was such a passion of mine that I knew I had to continue to advocating for those who needed it.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I think that my most memorable teaching moment happened about 2 years ago. I had a student who had struggled with their behavior. Their mom came to me about their report card and stated that their grades had never been as high as they were at that time. I had supported her enough to help her show even her mom what she was capable of.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to create new learning opportunities for my students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I would purchase items to create a sensory room that supported the needs of all my students. I would also send my paras for trainings to support the work that they do with the students. The sky would truly be the limit.