Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I began teaching in various outlets through church (summer camps, youth ministry, college ministry) and fell in love with the lesson creation process as well as the student-teacher relationship. After guest lecturing at a Japanese high school I can back and enrolled in a M. Ed program to pursue teaching as my career.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

While I played competitive soccer growing up, I had zero desire to Coach while teaching. However, the soccer Coach quit before the season started and no one else would sign up to coach. I agreed to coach and quickly realized many of my players had inadequate cleats if any at all. I reached out to my old high school alumni about slightly used cleats and they donated in mass to get them brand new cleats. I will never forget two of the boys’ faces when they held the only new cleats they’d ever own.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I have $8,000 in federal student loans from my Masters program. I have been paying it off as fast as possible, but I would pay it off immediately if I won. Additionally, I love my community here in Fort Worth where I work and go to church. I would use the remaining funds as well as savings to put a down payment on a house here. I don’t plan on leaving.