Patty Koenigs

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I struggled in elementary school and high school and I was told by my 8th grade teacher that I will always struggle and have a difficult time in school. I was in shock and surprised my own teacher would tell me that. It was wrong of her to tell me that. It hurt deep, but it only motivated me more to study and work harder. I never wanted any child to feel the way I felt on the day my teacher crushed my dreams.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experiment is when I made a student feel proud of himself for learning how to read! The look on his face was breathtaking and priceless. At that moment I knew I chose the perfect career!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would donate $1000 of books to my school because we are a Charter School with limited funds. I would then take my three kids on a vacation. I am a single mom struggling to make ends meet and have never taken a vacation with my kids.