Tell us why you became a teacher

I have always wanted to be a teacher, ever since I was a little girl playing ‘school’ with my mother’s daycare children. Although I took a different path and didn’t earn my teaching degree until my mid-thirties, I truly value that journey. I am especially grateful for the years I spent raising my own children, as those experiences have helped shape me into a more patient, understanding, and effective teacher.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was helping students understand money and making change. Since they struggled, I created a game called ‘Facts on the Brain.’ In groups, students used dry erase boards to choose items to ‘buy’ from the items on the board and calculate change. The activity boosted engagement, encouraged teamwork, and helped concepts click. Seeing their confidence grow and connections form made the experience unforgettable.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I work in a rural low income school district, I would spend the $25,000 upgrading my classroom. I would start by replacing my wobbly tables with tables specifically made for science interactive activities/labs. I then would upgrade classroom equipment, microscopes, sound machine, wind turbine, rock and mineral station and interactive space station. The remaining money I would earmark for field trips to the Saint Louis Science Museum.