My desire to work with children comes from my own classroom experiences. Children are honest, imaginative, and full of possibility. They approach the world with wonder, and as a teacher, I have the privilege of nurturing that curiosity. I love creating a classroom environment where students feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and try again. Watching their growth—academically and emotionally—is incredibly rewarding.

Students often come to second grade and struggle with reading. It seems that each year there is one student who doesn't believe in themselves and thinks they'll never learn to read. Day after day we work together on sounding out words and reviewing "rules" while also celebrating the small wins. The light bulb moment of reading success is my favorite reaction. It reminds me that patience, encouragement, and belief can truly change a child’s self-confidence and future.

With $25,000, I would take my family on a relaxing vacation. I would put a portion into savings to support our future and provide security. I would also use part of the money to purchase new books, learning tools, and supplies for my classroom so my students have engaging resources that support their growth and spark their curiosity.