Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a special education teacher because I’ve always had a heart for people with special needs. I always want to be the one that they can come to whenever there’s an issue and know that they are loved and well taken care of.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

When a student who had really struggled understanding a concept came up to me and said I really think that I’m getting it now. After working with them for several weeks, trying to understand the concept using different accommodations and modifications to best fit their needs seeing the light at the end of the tunnel for them to finally understand. Makes my job worth coming to every day. That lightbulb moment of I can finally do this makes all the sleepless nights worth it.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Since I teach at a tier 1 school, I would buy supplies that I need for my classroom. I would also like to start a coffee cart for my students to learn how to do life skills. The coffee cart would allow them to work on independent living, job skills, and community partnership with teachers and students around the building.