Marcella Thomas

Tell us why you became a teacher

I started out a sub teacher, 14 years! I was told I have a gift! Two teachers asked me how many credits you have?I said, “90 credits with a GPA of 1.97!”I said, to my self,” I’m dumb/stupid, no one will ever hire me! “ They both encourage me to go back to school! When I saw them in the hall, I walked the other direction!! Then my Father died 8/7/2011! My cushioned was gone! I said to myself, I must return back to school! I returned getting 2 C’s and the rest all A’s! I’m not dumb! Graduated Kean

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

The most memorable teaching experience is when the students would say, I’m dumb, and we can’t learn math! I acknowledge all the negative they stated! Then I encouraged them to trust us to work with them to learn math even though they hated math! Well, the light bulb came on and our students learned! Our class test scores grew significantly that we were acknowledged by the Principal. The students learned they were not dumb/stupid and no longer hated math. They now took on math challenges!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I work every single day and I fo not miss day off of work! I would go on a nice vacation with my family and sons! I have not been able to take me, family and sons on a vacation due to working to make ends meet and paying college tuition for my sons! I would also celebrate with my students this great reward and give back to a Senior who will attend college to become a teacher.