Tell us why you became a teacher

I’ve been taking care of children since I was a five-year-old girl. I was one of the oldest of age children. Everyone says love what you do and it won’t become a job. I love working with children, so educating children comes very naturally to me. Also, I wanted to have my own family, so being able to spend time with them outside of school hours makes sense. I’m 58 years old and I’m a traveling teacher. My husband is unable to work now. I will be teaching until I die.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Every day is my most memorable teaching experience. They say, “live in the moment” and that’s exactly what I do. Each day I have the opportunity to help each child grow. I’m currently, I’m working as a special education, teacher for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade learners. These remarkable children have autism and they are nonverbal. I help them learn & communicate with their AAC devices. It’s a beautiful world in my classroom while kids learn at their own pace and in their own way.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I have too much debt. I would pay off one of my loans many people don’t understand that when you’re a teacher, often your money goes right back into the classroom because districts are unable to provide what you need for kids. I often end up purchasing the items on my own. I’m a traveling teacher. I spend the week away from my husband and come home on Friday through Sunday to see him I then go back to the city and teach special education. I need to pay off my vehicle loan.