I wanted to become a teacher, specifically Special Education, to help marginalized students find and use their voice to the best of their ability. I want to make sure those that I teach reach their full potential and truly enjoy learning and being at school. I think the most important thing I can teach someone is HOW they learn best. That will open the doors to them becoming lifelong learners and advocates.

Meeting my wife, but a close second is revealing “the pumpkin patch” to my students with Autism. My assistants and I prepared for an escape room activity that was differentiated for our wide variety of learners. In addition to the academics, we prepared a “pumpkin patch” that needed to be unlocked, complete with snacks, a Photo Booth, and a TON of orange balloon “pumpkins” and “vines”. The work was difficult for us and the kids, but the looks on their faces when it opened were priceless.

Our students have different needs when it comes to recess outdoors. We currently have some really good standard equiptment for typically developing students, so I would use the $25,000 to add on specialty playground equipment that is sensory-friendly. These would include a rock paint panel (painting slate with water), a roller table, and a large communication board for our students who are non-verbal.