Tell us why you became a teacher

I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in 1st grade. I truly feel called to it, and I wanted to help foster an environment for students to love and enjoy school they way I was able to as a student. Ultimately, it became obvious to me that I was gifted in the way I am able to build positive relationships with students. Becoming a teacher allowed me to serve families and see students grow. I believe in the power of education and the way it can change the future of an entire family.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experiences have come from getting to see my former students excel & thrive when they leave my classroom. In 2023, I assigned a project to my 8th grade students where they were asked to imagine a nonprofit or company that would solve a problem in the world. In the following months, a group of those students banded together & actually started a nonprofit organization based on what they learned. Now, they are actively providing school supplies for teachers in our city.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I were to be awarded the $25,000 I would be able to pay off my student loans and put money towards being able to own instead of rent. I would also be able to set myself up financially so I could continue to spend my breaks involved with service. I typically spend a good chunk of my summer volunteering with teenagers & 1-2 times a year I travel to Mexico with an organization to build homes for homeless families. The money would allow me to meet my financial goals while continuing these things!