I became a teacher because one caring adult can change the direction of a life. I wanted to be that person, the one who helps students find their voice, their confidence, and their future. Every day I get to watch curiosity turn into courage, and there is nothing more meaningful than helping young people realize they are capable of more than they ever imagined.

During orientation, a student admitted reading was really hard for them. Later we read The Crossover by Kwame Alexander, and something clicked...they finished their first book. They even asked if they could buy my copy. I couldn’t, but on the last day of school I surprised them with their own copy and Booked. Watching them go from struggling reader to proud book owner is a moment I’ll never forget.

If I won the $25,000, I would invest it directly back into my students. I’d build a classroom library filled with books that help every student see themselves as a reader, especially those who think reading isn’t for them yet. I’d also create opportunities—author visits, creative writing projects, and resources that make learning come alive. Most importantly, I’d make sure every student can leave my classroom with a book of their own.