Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

In middle school, I noticed how there was an isolated class where the students in there had little friends. I asked their teacher if I could use my study hall to help. I fell in love with helping these special students. I knew then that teaching was calling. Not just any teaching, but to teach the ones who are beaten down by the system and to make my class the one everyone wants to be in.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Every student I have had lives in my heart and has left a great memory. If I have to pick one memory, it would be a student who came to me in kindergarten. He was nonverbal. He would run and cry every morning from his general education classroom. One morning I caught him and set him on a table so I could help another open a milk for breakfast. He did not know how to get off the table, but he did notice the breakfast. Turned out he ran looking for food. Soon I helped him to find his voice.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest in more sensory furniture. By more occupational therapy tools so my students have access to them all the time. Invest in more books for my reading series so children do not have to share books. Lastly, I would use the money to help with the quilts I make so each student has warmth, love, and strength to wrap in.