Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I know what it feels like to be a child who slips through the cracks. When I was young, I was a good student. I followed directions, completed my work, and stayed out of trouble. Because of this, I wasn’t seen and I really needed someone to notice me. There were things going on in my life outside of school that was confusing. Looking back, I always wished someone would have noticed me and so I became a teacher to be the person I needed when I was young.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable teaching experiences happened during daily one on one math time with a student who was struggling to add and subtract two-digit numbers. Every time we worked on regrouping or breaking apart numbers, they would get frustrated. Day after day we worked together until one day this student stopped and shouted , “Ms. Moreno, I think i understand!” We jumped up and down and squealed with tears in our eyes. It was a wonderful moment.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won $25,000 dollars I probably should pay off some of my student loans. However, I would use the money for a down payment for a new home that would be big enough to have all three of my grandkids stay the night at once. Winning $25,000 would change my life.