Lauri Tayman

Tell us why you became a teacher

I originally began college majoring in veterinary medicine, thinking I wanted to work with animals, but everything changed over spring break. I had the opportunity to substitute for my mom’s first-grade class, and that experience completely opened my eyes to the joy and impact of teaching. Watching the students learn, grow, and light up with excitement made me realize how powerful a teacher’s influence can be. In that classroom, I discovered a passion for helping children become eager learners.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable experiences come from working daily with my English language learners. Helping them understand a new language and discover the joy of reading—especially in science—has been incredibly meaningful. The best moments are when I see that spark in their eyes as concepts click. Watching their confidence grow and seeing them become risk-takers in math, science, and language arts is what makes teaching so rewarding.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won the $25,000, I would invest it directly into my classroom by purchasing high-quality reading and science materials for my English language learners. Expanding our classroom library with diverse, engaging texts and hands-on science resources would help build their vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, and deepen content knowledge. These materials would give my students more opportunities to explore, question, and grow in confidence across all subjects.