I became a teacher because I care about kids as a whole person and not just as a number. I want to support kids emotional needs and teach them calming strategies to be successful not just in school, but in life. I thrive to teach them more than just science, but life skills as well. I truly care about each and every one of my student and try to teach them skills to help them be successful in the future.

As much as I love to see that lightbulb moment when what we are learning finally clicks and they get so excited that they understand. I would have to say that my favorite experiences teaching have come from those students that struggle in school. I have enjoyed building relationships with those students and becoming someone they could rely on and trust. Throughout the year, I have seen them grow and become a hard working student. This happened all because they felt safe and unjudged.

If I won the $25,000 I would use some of that money to go back to school and get licensed in middle school science and special education from K-12. I would also use the money to help support the families in our school community. I would use it to help families with holiday gifts for their kids, to help stock food pantries, and to help provide students in my school with school necessities and calming tools for them to use. This money would go toward my students and my further education.