Latasha Channel-West

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I wanted to be a change maker. After a very scary incident that happened to my son in middle school, I realized I never wanted another student to feel the way he did in that moment. That experience changed my perspective and made me understand that I had the power to make an impact. Because of that, I decided to shift gears and began teaching in the school district where I live so I could help create a safer, more supportive environment for students.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was supporting a student after the loss of his father. I saw how deeply his grief affected his behavior, but later I ran into him in the community and he remembered me with kindness because he knew I cared. Hearing him tell his cousin, “Make sure you listen to her, because she will listen to you,” reminded me that being present and truly listening can leave a lasting impact.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Receiving $25,000 would be life changing for me. I would use it to pay off debt and make much needed repairs to my home. It would also allow me to better support my children’s college education, as I have high school graduates in the classes of 2025 and 2026. This support would relieve a great financial burden and help create more stability for my family.