Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I fell in love with learning, even though I wasn’t a perfect student. In high school, I joined a special language arts pedagogical class, then went on to a pedagogical university in Kyiv. I started out teaching Russian Language Arts, later became a Hebrew teacher, and now I teach math from beginners through 12th grade, tutoring and mentoring with warmth and curiosity.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was with a 4th grader on the spectrum. All his special‑ed teachers said he would never multiply 2‑digit numbers. While working with him, I discovered he had reverse processing when we started division. Then, one day, multiplication suddenly clicked for him, and that breakthrough moment stays with me.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 in a very intentional and meaningful way. First, I would finally pay off the debts I’ve carried from my years as a single mother of four, which would be about $11,000. Clearing that weight would give me emotional and financial breathing room. With the remaining amount, I would split it between investing for long‑term stability and opening my own Tutoring, Mentoring, and Consulting business to support parents, students, and teachers.