Michael Barone

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I wanted to help young people be the best versions of themselves. I strive to be the teacher and coach I wish I would have had. My mom also had a huge impact on my desire to teach. She taught for 42 years spending 38 years at the same school. Her commitment is part of what inspired me to teach. I want to help change the world in a positive way and I feel like teaching gives me an avenue to reach more people to help be the change that our society so desperately needs.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I took over as head coach of a middle school in my 3rd year as a teacher. There was an 8th grader who was one of my more difficult athletes to deal with. I poured into him and taught him the foundation of what it takes to be a great person. 11 years later I found out he was a minister. He reached out to me and came back to our school and served as our team chaplain. It was very rewarding for me to see a former student from over a decade ago come back and serve the program he was apart of.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would put some in my 4 year old sons college savings fund. I would give some back to our athletic and fine art programs at my school. I would pay off some bills. I would invest some. I would also try to randomly find some people who needed the money and give it out. I ultimately would want to be a blessing with others using the money from this contest.