Tell us why you became a teacher

Growing up, I had an amazing high school math teacher who made calculus genuinely fun — shoutout Mr. Gould! His passion and teaching style made me actually look forward to math class, and that experience inspired me to do the same for others. Since math can be polarizing, I work hard to bring energy and creativity into every lesson, making my classes engaging, approachable, and an enjoyable experience for all students, regardless of their skill level or background with math.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Some of my most memorable teaching moments have actually come after students have left my classroom. A few former students have reached out over the years to share the impact I had on them. They've shared how being a positive influence during a difficult period in their lives as well as the successes they've achieved. Those messages mean everything and make the hard days worth it, because as teachers, we rarely get to see the long-term difference we make in the day to day.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Teaching is incredibly rewarding, but financially it can be a real challenge. This money would be life-changing — helping my family catch up on financial responsibilities, replacing my aging car which I rely on for the long commute to my additional jobs, and maybe even a little left over for myself. Whether that means adding to my Lego collection or putting it toward a trip to Tokyo or Berlin to complete the World Marathon Majors, this would make a truly meaningful difference in my life.