Tell us why you became a teacher

I wanted to be the person I didn’t have. I felt so disconnected from support systems in high school especially in understanding what to do with my life. I also felt like I had to do things a certain way and put so much pressure on myself. Now I get to help kids that need that support every day. I’m an art teacher and I can show kids that art is accessible to everyone and build relationships with each and every one of them. I get to watch them learn and grow and do so with them.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my past students struggled and I remember just treating him like a human and building a genuine relationship helped him change his tune. We worked every lunch to apply to scholarships to afford college and he eventually got a full ride to school. He ended up going pre law so he could help others in the future. I remember him being in a foods class and bringing us food to eat while we workshopped essays and how kind of an exchange it was. I’m so proud of him still to this day.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would pay off debt. I have accumulated a lot from school and life in general and teaching does not afford a lot in life. I would also put money into a scholarship account for students that we can award to them each year. Enough to maybe spread out over the course of a few years so students can have money to pay for textbooks or other resources depending on their next pathway.