Lauren Whiteside

Tell us why you became a teacher

I genuinely like how young kids see the world. Kindergarteners are curious, honest, emotional, and imaginative. I enjoy big questions, random stories, and watching personalities form in real time, which can be a huge pull. I like being someone’s “safe place.” At five years old, school is a big deal. For many kids, their kindergarten teacher becomes their first non-family role model; this role fits me perfectly. I love my students, every one of them, and I have for the past 15 years.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My first year teaching in kindergarten, I had the sweetest little girl named Whitney. She was extremely shy and had never been around other children before she started kindergarten. I had the privilege of looping to first grade with her. She blossomed so much in the two years that I taught her. She was very helpful, kind, and had an amazing thirst for knowledge and a love of reading. I loved her so much that I named my daughter after her, and my daughter was in her wedding this past October.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won the $25,000, I would go back to school to earn my degree in guidance. I feel that it would be the next step in my educational career that would help me to be better equipped to help all students and make a difference with students who are in need of extra support at my title one school.