I became a teacher because of my younger brother. He had learning and speech challenges, but I knew he was capable. Hearing my parents worry about him made me realize how much confidence matters in learning. I wanted to be the teacher who builds both skills and self-belief, so students who struggle never feel like they are “less than.”

The moment I knew my students believed in themselves was when one asked me to order books so he could keep reading over break. I teach a reading intervention class for 7th and 8th graders reading far below grade level. As they learned strategies to break down long words, their confidence grew. By the end, every student improved 2 to 4 grade levels. Watching them go from frustrated readers to proud ones was unforgettable.

If I won $25,000, I would turn heartbreak into hope. I would give $10,000 to my daughter and son-in-law as they face their third round of IVF. Two years ago my son was killed in a motorcycle accident, leaving three young children. I would create joyful outings where we can laugh, make new memories, and share stories about their dad. And finally, my husband and I would have the simple “toes in the sand” wedding we never had.