Tell us why you became a teacher

Chance. I was an accountant who was leaving the public sector and figured I would substitute until I figured out where I wanted to go next. Fell in love with it went back to school and realized it was the most fulfilling career I ever had.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Having a student in my class who struggled all the time, but never gave up, worked hard. Thought for sure they hated the subject, their frustration always apparent. Five years later, they would be graduating and would come to me and tell me that because of me never giving up on them, they had learned the skills to excel at math with much success in high school. And now as they went into college, wanted to pursue a degree in mathematics as I had taught them, how to love the challenge of math.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Pay off as much of my new student loan for having to go back to get my degree in secondary education paid off. Then maybe go to Star Wars celebration and get to meet Mark Hamill.