Miranda Laidig

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher to help children be seen and heard as individuals. In a world where many have no voice, I wanted them to know they had a voice in my classroom. I also wanted to teach students that all voices are important and worth listening to. It is important to value one another.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience come each year right before Winter Break when students make their own Gingerbread houses. Fifteen years ago my mother passed away. She was a lover of gingerbread, and so each year I teach students how to decorate gingerbread houses and tell them how important it is to honor those who have passed by celebrating their lives. Each year students always love this event and many will ask questions about my mom's life. This is a very special bonding time.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Wow, what would I do with $25,000 dollars? I know that I would purchase sewing machines for my school. It has been my dream to start an after school sewing club. Many students don't get the opportunity to learn how to sew, but would love the opportunity to do so. I would also like to set up a couple field trips to places our students have never been like Mt. Saint Helens. This opportunity would allow our school to possibly camp. This would connect my 4th grade curriculum to real world experience