Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I always wanted to work with children, but I landed on teaching because I believe that education is the key to freedom, and I want all students to have the opportunity to unlock their full potential. My parents were both public school teachers until their retirement, and I’m honored to have joined the family business.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of teaching is that you don’t always get to see the blooms of the seeds you’ve planted. Occasionally, though, you do. In my first year of teaching, I had a student who barely spoke and put his head down in class every day. By the end of the year and even after he left my class, he would stay after school to chat with me about video games and show me his moving, gorgeous poetry. Whenever I am struggling to connect with a student, I think of him.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would love to use some to pay off debt and some to invest in incredible supplies for my classroom!