Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I was a wildlife major in college, and while tutoring classmates, realized I really enjoyed helping others understand. I wanted to help students enjoy science. I saw former teachers, what they did for me and wanted to be that for my future students. I wanted to be one that made a difference to my students. I wanted my students to be able to come back and tell me they appreciated my class, because they learned to love science.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

There are many to choose from, while teaching biology, my students would complete an insect collection, identifying, mounting, and presenting them. Students would begin collecting even before taking my class, the students had such fun learning taxonomy, that I was nominated and won Arizona teacher of the year. One of the greatest experiences came after my student had gone to college, my student had help tutor two other valedictorians in the college chemistry class.

What would you do with the $25,000?

first and foremost, I would like to help my children with student loans, my wife deserves a vacation, and I have wanted to start a physics/science club and need to update the school's equipment to make the club interesting and fun for members.